Silkie chicks not eating or worse yet, not pooping

[Must Be Losing It]

I have three new silkie chicks that hatched between Sunday night and Monday morning. As of this morning no food has been eated and even worse, no poop. I've done the momma hen thing but so far no interest. I'm worried because this never happened w/ any chicks I've hatched before. How normal or often does this happen and should I be prepared for the worst?

 

[thndrdancr]

Have you tried making a warm mash for them with the food by adding warm water just enuff to moisten it?

I had to do that with my bantam showgirl, the food crumbles were too big for her when she was fresh hatched for her to eat. They usually love that.

 

[Must Be Losing It]

I will try that. I have been dipping their beaks in water and then in their feed and not much improvement. One has splayed legs which I don't want to tape until it gets some strength.

 

[Must Be Losing It]

I'm happy to report some poop today! The splayed leg one still has issues but I think the vitamin water is helping.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

FYI... they probably aren't eating because they are still full. The yolk is absorbed into their stomachs, which is enough nutrients for the first 3 days or so. I have two Silkie chicks in the brooder and they didn't eat for the first week almost. And like yours poop didn't start showing up until day 4 or so and then it was very very small droppings.

There isn't anything wrong with your chicks, other than the splay leg situation.