We got our babies today

[Jennie951]

Hoooray! Called the farm today and was able to pick up our girls a couple days early. We got for 3 week old pullets. 2 RIR and 2 Brahama/Cochin mix ( 1 light & 1 dark ). They are so sweet. All have eaten and three have drank the water. They are all napping now. They have been home about 3 and a half hours. A little worried about the one that didn't drink yet. I dipped all their beaks in the water to show them where it is but she shook it off. Should I add some apple cider vinegar to the water to entice her?

Here are some pics:

 

[chickenbythesea]

very sweet! I'm not sure about cider vinegar but you can get electrolytes from a farm supply store that helps chicks to recover from stress from moving.

 

[Jennie951]

Thanks I do have some unflavored pedialite. My local feed store did not have the stuff for chicks and the Tractor supply is a long drive.I am in an urban area. Will that entice her to drink?



Edit : I just discovered that there is a Tractor supply closer than I thought. It's only about a half hour away. Will have to go one day and check it out.

 

[n8ivetxn]

It might help.... or you might try flavored. Mine love fruit punch gatoraid, dilute with a little water....

 

[Jennie951]

Thanks so much. I will have to get some for when its really hot. I did a search and found a post that said to put colored marbles in the water and it worked. They are all drinking more and she is finally drinking on her own. Yay!

 

[n8ivetxn]

Colored marbles - a great idea, I bet it would work.... I'm glad she's finally drinking

..... chicks can be stressful!

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

put a drop of red food coloring into the water. I know that sounds weird. But I do it if I notice one of the chicks not drinking. They like to peck at red things for some reason and when they peck at the water it gets them to drink.

 

[Jennie951]

Interesting fact Sweetlilbaby and good to know. Thanks. But the bottom of the waterer is red. Im am thhinking that maybe its not enough contrast since the heat lamp over the brooder has a red bulb. But the marbles seem to have worked.