7 week old chicks still in brooder overnight- behavior changes

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all! Our 7 wk old chicks are out in the coop or free ranging all day from 7 am to 8 pm. We are still bringing them inside to their brooder for a few more nights till nighttime temps are in the 50s. I notice tonight a few behavior changes. As soon as I put them back in the brooder they started piling on top of each other. It is 60 degrees in the room so I know they are not cold. Its borderline aggressive piling. Anyone have any idea why they may be doing that? Their chirps are also louder and different than they used to be- do chicken chirps change over time?

Thank you!

 

[Jenwisp]

My chicks have done something similar 2 nights in a row now. 2-3 of them seem to be aggressively attacking one particular corner of their cardboard brooder like they are trying to break through. They even trample the others trying to sleep there. They are 3 weeks old.

It started yesterday. I will add that I put in a clod of dirt and grass earlier in the day for them. Did that make them hyper somehow?

Tonight they did it again. Not much earlier, I had just brought them back in from some yard playtime.

Both nights, they have only calmed down if I lifted the Brinsea ecoglow and lowered it slowly down on the gaggle. They calm down almost instantly.

This behavior is worrisome.

 

[Kaesi2020]

My chicks have done something similar 2 nights in a row now. 2-3 of them seem to be aggressively attacking one particular corner of their cardboard brooder like they are trying to break through. They even trample the others trying to sleep there. They are 3 weeks old.

It started yesterday. I will add that I put in a clod of dirt and grass earlier in the day for them. Did that make them hyper somehow?

Tonight they did it again. Not much earlier, I had just brought them back in from some yard playtime.

Both nights, they have only calmed down if I lifted the Brinsea ecoglow and lowered it slowly down on the gaggle. They calm down almost instantly.

This behavior is worrisome.

Yes! Same here. They all fight for a corner of the box and trample eachother to get there. They never have done this before. Maybe I will try that light trick.

 

[Yardmom]

How cold are your nights? At 7 wks they may need more space.

 

[Jenwisp]

I wanted to add that this happens at dusk. The room light was still on, but the sky is visible through the window. Are they afraid of the dark?

 

[Kaesi2020]

How cold are your nights? At 7 wks they may need more space.

Hi! Nights here in upstate NY are in the high 40s. We were planning on leaving them out nights starting Monday when the overnight temps are a bit higher. The brooder is 3 giant boxes combined together, they definently have outgrown it- would that be a sign of needing space though if they pile on top of eachother? I am new to this so I apologize for all the questions! Thanks for your help.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I wanted to add that this happens at dusk. The room light was still on, but the sky is visible through the window. Are they afraid of the dark?

Same for me, dusk with a little light still outside and visible through the window.

 

[2Old2Crow]

I think their getting stressed. Lock yourself in the bedroom for a while and you'll understand . That's a long time in a brooder. I moved mine out today as they were starting to peck and stomp on each other. And Doms are supposed to be really friendly and social.

 

[Kaesi2020]

I think their getting stressed. Lock yourself in the bedroom for a while and you'll understand . That's a long time in a brooder. I moved mine out today as they were starting to peck and stomp on each other. And Doms are supposed to be really friendly and social.

That is a very good point. Perhaps I should move them out sooner than Monday. They have calmed down now and are resting but definitely odd behavior earlier for them.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

7 weeks? Probably ready for outside!