stupid question?

[jcasey829]

HI

I have had chickens for just over a year now and just recently one became broody so I went with it and let her sit on 5 eggs (2 hers 3 my barred rocks, they lay in the same nesting box for some reason)... 2 hatched last night

one is cracking and I hear it chirping (so exciting)...
anyway here is my question(s)...
I have a roo in the coop and I've read they kill the chicks? So I took them out and am keeping them in my house like I did when I first got my hens (with a heat lamp etc)... I havent noticed them eating or drinking yet. Did I take them away too soon (I thought when you buy chicks they are day old right?)? I guess the stupidest question is how do they know how to eat and drink and when will they? I dont want them to die they are too cute...

one is a silkie/cochin and the other is a silkie/plymouth rock ... oh now im wondering if im bad that i interbred breeds of chickens?
Okay so sorry this is such a rambling post lol thanks in advance for your insight

Jen

 

[notapandabear13]

chicks dont eat or drink til they are three days old. its cause they have just absorbed their yolks and are self sustained. thats why you can ship baby chicks but only till they are 3 days. just make sure there is fresh water (add a lil sugar to it tho) and food at all times anyways. they will eat and drink when they need to.

 

[notapandabear13]

oh and GOOD LUCK! I love baby chicks they are so cute! congrats!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jcasey829]

omg i had no idea about the 3 day thing! thank you so much now i will be able to sleep tonight and not be watching over them lol well ok maybe i'll wake up a few times just to check on them

when we wake up tomorrow we should have another im so excited

thanks again

 

[ruthie]

I would dip their little beaks so they will know where the water is. What are you using for bedding? I would just line the bottom of the brooder with paper towels and sprinkle their food on the towels to get them started. I don't think there is anything wrong with mixed breed chicks. Right now I have an American game hen who hatched out 6 chicks and the roo is a Brown Leghorn. I also have some silkiexfrizzle chicks that I hatched from eggs that I got from Dipsey Doodle Doo. I have pics of them posted. Good luck and post some pics I bet they are adorable.

 

[notapandabear13]

yup! no problem. when my chicks hatched a month ago i had my nose pressed against the bator then the brooder for the first week for the majority of the day. they are just so cute to watch! and nerve wracking! watch out for pasty butt and such. they stress me out until they ar around a week old, then i chill out.

have fun with your new babies!