To Feed Day On Hatching Day or Not/Brinsea Experience

[kjorgey]

I just picked up 7 female Easter Eggers at the Hatchery that were born at earlier this morning. They are vaccinated for Marek's and all look healthy so far. Should I put their chick (medicated) feed in today or wait until tomorrow? They are drinking. They peck at each other's droppings. My Brinsea brooder seems to be working well. Thermometer on floor under the unit read between 90-95 degrees. I raised it up just a bit on the back to let them get out easier. The top of this thing just really gets hot to touch. I guess that's normal. They go under for a few minutes, then come out for water. I guess this will be how the first day will go. How long should I expect them to lay under the heat on day one? They seem very active for just hatching. I'm sitting in my bathroom with them for a little while to watch. Room temp is 77 and draft free. One girl seems lest interested in the others and the pecking order is clearly being established. How am I doing so far?

 

[Ted_Harrell]

Sounds like you are doing awesome...

 

[Ted_Harrell]

And yeah, I am sure they will be hungry...

 

[Ridgerunner]

Chicks can go three, four, sometimes into the fifth day after hatch living off of the nutrients they got when they absorbed the yolk at hatch. That doesn't mean that they need to or that it helps them. I make the feed available from the start. They may not eat much or any, but offering it to them will not hurt them. It might help them.

I'm not familiar with that brooder, but as long as they have one spot warm enough and one spot cool enough I find they are really good at managing their own temperature requirements.

 

[kjorgey]

Thanks I sprinkled some on the paper towel and they did eat some, not much but it sure got them excited. So far, so good.