Panic Time

[MaransGuy]

Quote:
I agree with this wholeheartedly. When I move my chicks into the brooder they have food and water available to them. They usually just peck at the feed for the first day or so before actually eating but are real hogs by day 2-3! I have never had any problems because of this.

Richard

 

[Frosty]

The yolk provides feed for the first few days, but it doesn't hurt to feed them. I think the purpose of the yolk feeding for a few days is so that mom can sit on the eggs for a few days after the first chicks hatch and hatch the rest. Then she takes them all out to forage (including the babies that hatched a day or so later than the rest). I always put food down for chicks, wether they are from a shipped box, straight from the incubator, or under their mom.

 

[Davaroo]

Youll do fine. Common sense prevails, and you seem to have it in spades. Keep us posted.

 

[Jimmy]

First of all..thanks for all of your responses and your concern.What a great resource this forum is and you all seem like such nice people.
Well,they(four each of six different breeds) all arrived alive and pretty well(only one vent needed work)..I offered them water and they figured that out pretty quickly,then after they seemed settled down, I put out the "grogel" stuff that came with the starter kit and they jumped on that like they were hungry. This morning they all seemed fine and I put out some starter feed and they figured out what that was for real quickly. I know they are instinctive, but I am rather amazed at how quickly they figure things out without haveing a mother to help them.
Thanks again for all of your help...it is very comforting to have somewhere to go for "good" advice when you know as little as I do about this subject.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Since they were shipped birds from a hatchery, it was best to have the feed and water read for them..Good job...

That's why they can ship day olds they live off the yolk sac for a few days but are hungry little buggers when received.....

 

[Azure]

Quote:
72 hours is way too long imho, we make sure that ours have a scattering of good organic starter crumb and plenty of drinkers and they will recover far more quickly than being starved. To me that isn't necessary. Most will eat within an hour of settling, others may take a few hours longer. Food and drink will help them heal and undo any stress.