worried about drowning

[dancingflower68]

Ok, so I just got my chicks today, and they keep scaring me by falling asleep at their waterer. Is this how baby chicks drown? I have some glass marbles in there, but I'm not sure if I should put more in. I can't watch them every second, but I am terrified they will drown. Are they smarter than I think?

 

[cary 1973]

This happened to me my first day lucky I was there when baby fell in or Ste would of died. I don't know what you have them in but what I did for temp solution was cut water bottle bottom off then put 2 holes and hung it up where they could drink but not get in it

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

You could try a quail waterer, quail chicks are tiny and are known to drown pretty quick. Since it's not as wide as regular chicken waterers, I'd recommend it.

Edited to add: Is the heat lamp too hot? It could be heating them up. If they are 1 week old it should be a 90 degrees F. Then every week go down by 5.

 

[dancingflower68]

Well, I moved the waterer further off to the side, and that seemed to help a bit. I think they are just getting the hang of things, I have only had them since noon, and they are 1 day old. I have the brooder at 95 in the warmest spot, but there are cooler fringe areas they can go. Do you think it's too hot?They are drinking a ton, but don't seem overly hot, one is staying in the cooler part, but the other 3 are together closer to the light. How much do they usually drink?

 

[dancingflower68]

This happened to me my first day lucky I was there when baby fell in or Ste would of died. I don't know what you have them in but what I did for temp solution was cut water bottle bottom off then put 2 holes and hung it up where they could drink but not get in it

That's a really good idea, although I just have hardware cloth over the top, I'm afraid if I hang anything from it it will sag and cause problems.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Chicks will fall asleep anywhere, especially when something, like the edge of the water bowl, holds their head up for them.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Well, I moved the waterer further off to the side, and that seemed to help a bit. I think they are just getting the hang of things, I have only had them since noon, and they are 1 day old. I have the brooder at 95 in the warmest spot, but there are cooler fringe areas they can go. Do you think it's too hot?They are drinking a ton, but don't seem overly hot, one is staying in the cooler part, but the other 3 are together closer to the light. How much do they usually drink?

If you see them panting and jumping over each other to the corners, it's too warm, and if they are cuddling under the heat lamp their cold, but if they are spread out and happy, they're in perfect condition.

 

[cary 1973]

The next day I bought abird water dish from pry co and next will be proper chicken water bowl when they move to bigger home boy they do drink a lot of water