Do I need to put something in their water?
Also, they're vaccinated for Marek's but that's all. I have nonmedicated organic chick starter. Should I give them anything else since Marek's is all they're vaccinated against?
Thanks!
New chicks and water
You don't have to put anything in their water.. some people put molasses or sugar to stimulate them to drink.. Getting them hydrated after their trip is the important thing.. additives help, if you don't have it.. clean water is fine
I use the poultry vitamin/electrolyte for the first time. I think this is the one I use..
http://www.jefferslivestock.com/ssc/product.asp?CID=2&mscssid=S55CN9PRE2J89KXHS0WLFTFHEPB647D5&pf_id=11710
You can also crumble some boiled egg yolk as a little boost to get them eating.. I sprinkle it on top of their feed.. and use my finger to "peck" at it.. they get the idea real quick.. the egg yolk will have some of the crumbles in and get them goin on it.
They will be fine.. :) You sound like a great mommy already!
I have to go out this afternoon so I'll stop and see if they have some of the vitamin/electrolyte stuff. I want to get a second heat lamp anyway just in case the one I have goes out for some reason (defective, that would be typical for me).
I hope I'll be a good mommy. I certainly have researched this whole thing til I'm blue in the face. (And most of you are blue in the face answering, which I really appreciate!) I'm realistic, and I'm not going to go to pieces if something bad happens to one of them, but I also feel if you're going to have any animal at all, you owe it to them to be responsible and educated and care enough to give them the best.
Having chickens can be a very painful learning curve.. Sounds like you've done a great job to take some of the "kinks" out.. LOL You have a great attitude.. keep up the good work..
I can't speak for anyone but me... it's my pleasure to share with you any tidbits or hints I have learned along the way! That's what DG is all about. :) So don't hold back.. if you don't know, just ask.. someone is always here.
In return, we ask for TONS of pics! :) so we can ga ga over your babiez.
For newly hatched babies we put marbles in the waterer for at least the first few days just to avoid any accidents while they are stumbly.