Rural Broody
In the Brooder
Hello everyone, so I finally moved my beautiful little flock to the big coop outside! I can reclaim my living room!
Anyway I spent time with them just sitting, watching them explore and settle in for a while, then let them be. At dusk I went to turn off the light and make sure they settled in under the mama heating pad just fine. But when I turned off the light - WOW - the chirping!! I didn't know 5 week old birds could make so much noise!! It wasn't pitch black as the coop has windows, but were they scared?
I huddled down near the heating pad and they all ran over to me chirping in my face. I kept encouraging them to use the heating pad, and after about half an hour of them coming up to me and chirping (even the ones who are usually more aloof), then exploring the heating pad or the coop (all while chirping loudly), then coming and chirping in my face again, they finally all settled. But they kept straining their necks to look at me out from under the pad. When they started closing their eyes I snuck out.
Were they chirping at me because they've actually bonded with me a bit and they're looking to me for guidance? Or am I just a hopeful and delusional chicken mommy?
Anyway I spent time with them just sitting, watching them explore and settle in for a while, then let them be. At dusk I went to turn off the light and make sure they settled in under the mama heating pad just fine. But when I turned off the light - WOW - the chirping!! I didn't know 5 week old birds could make so much noise!! It wasn't pitch black as the coop has windows, but were they scared?
I huddled down near the heating pad and they all ran over to me chirping in my face. I kept encouraging them to use the heating pad, and after about half an hour of them coming up to me and chirping (even the ones who are usually more aloof), then exploring the heating pad or the coop (all while chirping loudly), then coming and chirping in my face again, they finally all settled. But they kept straining their necks to look at me out from under the pad. When they started closing their eyes I snuck out.
Were they chirping at me because they've actually bonded with me a bit and they're looking to me for guidance? Or am I just a hopeful and delusional chicken mommy?