I've got zebra chicks that have been weaned for about 5 weeks or so. I had them separated from the parents for 3 weeks and during that time I couldn't get them to drink from the tube-type waterer I use in the aviary (the one that looks like a test tube). I put a dish of water in for the chicks and they used it. I've since re-introduced them to the avaiary and I'd hoped they would learn how to drink from the tube... hasn't happened yet! I'm still putting water in a dish for them but naturally the other birds bathe in it! The chicks will land on the dish and start drinking before I can even set it down! Any ideas on how to nudge them in the direction of the other (cleaner) water source?
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How to get zebra chicks to drink from a different waterer?
hrabb
Apr 26, 2005 05:22 PM
Replies (1)
rudreamin
Apr 30, 2005 12:04 AM
It is possible they're drinking from it when you're not looking. In that type of situation it would be hard to know if they're drinking from it or not. Sometimes if they see another bird drink from it they realize it's ok. My suggestion would be to separate them and put the tube type waterer in the cage. Put the water dish in and rest the tube waterer in it. They should associate it with water then. Then put the tube waterer above the water dish. Gradually take the water dish out for longer periods and see if they start using it. Hope that helps!
