Newbie question about receiving chicks

[VTBobCat]

I am expecting chicks to be delivered to my post office tomorrow or the next day. The office told me they will call first thing in the morning so I can get them before work. Unfortunately it will be right before I need to be to work so I will have to be very quick with handling them in the morning. In reading about prepping for their arrival, I saw that I am supposed to check for pasty butt and dip their beaks into the water in the brooder. How necessary is it dip their beaks and check for pasty butt as soon as I get them? Would it be okay to pick them up at the post office, bring them home, quickly place them in the brooder, then show them the water and check for pasty butt when I get home from work, about 8 hours later? I will do whatever I need to do to make sure they are taken care of, but I had an unexpected emergency this morning and had to go to work late. I hate to go in late another day this week, but obviously will if I have to.

 

[SueT]

No, they need to drink asap, they are going to be thirsty. You could moisten the chick crumbles to make sure they get enuf water.

 

[esme13]

I am expecting chicks to be delivered to my post office tomorrow or the next day. The office told me they will call first thing in the morning so I can get them before work. Unfortunately it will be right before I need to be to work so I will have to be very quick with handling them in the morning. In reading about prepping for their arrival, I saw that I am supposed to check for pasty butt and dip their beaks into the water in the brooder. How necessary is it to do that as soon as I get them? Would it be okay to take care of that when I get home from work, about 8 hours later? I will do whatever I need to do to make sure they are taken care of, but I had an unexpected emergency this morning and had to go to work late. I hate to go in late another day this week, but obviously will if I have to.

I know you are going to be rushing, but as you put the chicks into their brooder dip their beaks in the water so that they know its there. I do 1-2 dips before releasing them, it really shouldn't take much of that time. Do a quick analyze for pasty butt. Those first few hours are critical to ensure they remain healthy. You don't need to handle them after that, as its best they relax from the stress of the trip.