When should my just hatched chicks start to eat?

[Laurelm]

Hi - I just hatched out 8 chicks on Wednesday and put them in their cage Thursday am. I showed them the water and moved both the water & feed fairly close to the warm spot in the pen.

The chicks look great - happy, peeping, fluffy and walking around. I know they're drinking but I don't think they have started to eat yet.

Is this normal?

 

[peeboo]

chick starter right? they should eat by the next day ususally. or that has been the case with my chicks. they won't be hungry right away usually. sometimes i would play with their food to get them interested in it. i would pick up a crumble and drop it. they are more interested in them when they move lol.

 

[Laurelm]

Yes chick starter. I will work with them tonight - I am sure between me and the babies we'll get this worked out!!

Thank you!!

 

[Wynette]

I usually sprinkle a bit of starter feed right around the edges of the feeder, on the floor. They will peck at that first, and then find the feeder. Good luck and enjoy your babies!

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. Their yoke sack will provide for them for three days before they need to eat.

 

[Laurelm]

 

[Laurelm]

Okay - Thanks to very nice person I am now putting pictures of my sweet new babies up - hatch date 8-12

2- black copper marans
2 - welsummers
2 - Blue Laced Red Wyandottes
1- EE ( the beautiful grey/blue chick - named Smokey!)
1 - RIR

 

[Monstertone]

Did you order the eggs and hatch those in an incubator?

 

[Laurelm]

Yes I did. I got them from a great lady in Utah. She sales them on ebay. Nice mix of breeds - beautiful eggs and quick shipping. Let me know if you want her information and I'll look it up.