Will Chicks eat on their on after coming out of the bator

[Leslie Joline]

My chicks have been out of the bator for a day and half and still do not go to food or water. What should I do to lead them to food?

 

[Chicken Whisperers]

When we hatched eggs last summer my chickies werent really eating/drinking either. I tried carefully dipping the tip of one's beak in water and then lifting the head so he could swallow. I did it a few more times and after he got the hang of it he was at the waterer for SO long drinking more and more water. It was funny to watch . As far as food, the chicks' Mamma hen showed them how to eat, so I can't help you there. You could hold food in front of them to coax them to eat??

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Take your finger and tap the feeder like a mama hen with her beak......the noise and movement draws their attention. For water you can go the same and/or carefully dip their beaks into the water so they get a drink and this learn what it is....shiny stones or marbles in the waterer can help prevent drowning (never had an issue with that myself, but it does happen), but moreover, draw curious pecks and, thus, drinking.

 

[Steam Powered Chicken]

Hi! I haven't gotten my first set of chicks yet, but from everything I've read and watched so far... They say you should take the chicks and dip their beaks in the water. With food, you could do the same at the feeder, or sprinkle some food on a paper towel for them to peck at for a few days before they start to seek it out. I hope that helps, and good luck!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What *are* they doing....are they active and moving around or staying huddled and still all the time? How large is the area they are in and where are the feed water stations relative to where they are congregating?

 

[paneubert]

Day and a half is not THAT concerning. Not quite yet. They are still absorbing their yolk until about day 2 or 3. This is why it is acceptable to mail day old chicks, but no older. They have their own "on board" supply of nutrients to make the voyage thru the mail with no food or water provided.

As others have said, tapping the feeder and water dispenser usually works like magic. When I hatch quail, they could all be sleeping and as soon as I tap something, they come running.

Edit to add: My experience also has shown that you should not be super worried until you start seeing poop. Once that starts coming out, you should expect them to be taking in new food/water. For my birds, the brooder stays pretty clean until about day 3. Then the poops start showing up quick.