Exhausted Chicks

JA2626 · Jun 10, 2012

We have about 2-3 week olds. We gave them their first day of play outside, about 4 hours in a little run. Then we put them back in their brooder. Then we had a surprise visit from my sister with her 2 kids. Of course they wanted to "play" with the baby chicks. After another 1-2 hours of then picking them up and holding (basically stressing them out, I assume) the chicks were finally left alone. They all layed down and slept for hours. Is this a really stressful and bad thing for them? Or is it ok and a good training for them?

1muttsfan · Jun 10, 2012

Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

A couple of hours being handled by children is likely too much. Remember they are just babies, so limit playtime, allowing plenty of time for eating, drinking and sleeping. The chicks are not willing participants, and so need some protection.

JA2626 · Jun 10, 2012

Thank you. I was going to set up the run and let them outside again today. Is it too much and should I wait till next weekend? Today there will not be any kids around.

janinepeters · Jun 10, 2012

As long as they are healthy, I often put mine out in a run for a little bit each day, from the time they are a few days old. How long depends on how warm it is and how old they are. Just watch them, and you will be able to tell when they've had too much or if they care cold. When they are that young, mine tend to sleep quite a bit after an outing, even if no one has been handling them. They run around a lot more outside, and all the new sights and sounds and things to peck at, are exciting and exhausting! That said, I do supervise and limit handling of young chicks by kids.

Exhausted Chicks

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JA2626

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1muttsfan

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JA2626

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janinepeters

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