Baby chicks for our first time! Is that constant cheep a worry?

[Celticdragonfly]

It makes me want to go get down on the floor in daughter's room by the box, and put my hand in there with them more. But - the guide said to minimize handling them the first few days.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens.63078/

Also for me, I am almost never on the floor any more because it's so hard and painful to get back up - but I know I'm gonna do it anyway! probably be good for me in the long run.

 

[Kiki]

It makes me want to go get down on the floor in daughter's room by the box, and put my hand in there with them more. But - the guide said to minimize handling them the first few days.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens.63078/

Also for me, I am almost never on the floor any more because it's so hard and painful to get back up - but I know I'm gonna do it anyway! probably be good for me in the long run.

I wouldn't listen to a guide. I'd put my hand in there any time I wanted.

 

[sylviethecochin]

"Your chicks are around three days old, so like it says above, try to minimize any touch to your chicks on the first few days of arrival, as hard as it may be. This is because your chicks are in a completely new environment, and they should first get used to their surroundings before human contact."

But why should they get used to their surroundings before human contact? I'm curious here. Because I've never read this guide before in my life, and when I bring bantam chicks home from the feed store (not a common occurrence, but it happens about once every three years or so.) they tend to ride in my shirt the whole way. And if the weather's nice, I'll head out first thing and they wander around the garden while I weed. And I'll toss them some bugs, and if they get cold, they can go to sleep on the dog. And it doesn't seem to traumatise them. They seem to enjoy it, actually.

EDT:
I mean, if you're going to shock them, why not just do it all at once and get it over with? Give them a fun treat to go along with the scary move to a new place. Rip off that bandaid and give them a lollipop.

I kind of agree on the water thing though. No need to bathe a baby chick under most circumstances. I get sympathy twinges in my wrists when I read about someone bathing a chick.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

Okay, I'm prolly going to go with y'all over the guide and go pet them more shortly.

I kind of agree on the water thing though. No need to bathe a baby chick under most circumstances. I get sympathy twinges in my wrists when I read about someone bathing a chick.

But I have seen a video of someone helping baby chicks soak in a bowl of very warm water, to help loosen up pasty butt. One batch of them looked like they were relaxing for a spa day and just about falling asleep with their beak resting on the edge.

 

[Kiki]

I have to admit I have not read the guide either. I tend to go with my gut.
Keep putting you hand in and leave it there. It will help them to learn you are not a monster out to get them. I say the more you play with them the better. In a few weeks they will go through a stage were they won't like you for anything but don't worry it will pass.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Okay, I'm prolly going to go with y'all over the guide and go pet them more shortly.



But I have seen a video of someone helping baby chicks soak in a bowl of very warm water, to help loosen up pasty butt. One batch of them looked like they were relaxing for a spa day and just about falling asleep with their beak resting on the edge.

Sounds good--while they're in the water. Once they get out, it might be a bit less fun.

Further, a dab of penetrating oil is just as good at loosening poop as water is (gun or hair oil works well.) And in all honesty, I've found that the easiest, quickest approach is to take a pair of pliers and crush the dry poop to dust.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

I wouldn't listen to a guide. I'd put my hand in there any time I wanted.

"Your chicks are around three days old, so like it says above, try to minimize any touch to your chicks on the first few days of arrival, as hard as it may be. This is because your chicks are in a completely new environment, and they should first get used to their surroundings before human contact."

But why should they get used to their surroundings before human contact? I'm curious here. Because I've never read this guide before in my life, and when I bring bantam chicks home from the feed store (not a common occurrence, but it happens about once every three years or so.) they tend to ride in my shirt the whole way. And if the weather's nice, I'll head out first thing and they wander around the garden while I weed. And I'll toss them some bugs, and if they get cold, they can go to sleep on the dog. And it doesn't seem to traumatise them. They seem to enjoy it, actually.

EDT:
I mean, if you're going to shock them, why not just do it all at once and get it over with? Give them a fun treat to go along with the scary move to a new place. Rip off that bandaid and give them a lollipop.

I kind of agree on the water thing though. No need to bathe a baby chick under most circumstances. I get sympathy twinges in my wrists when I read about someone bathing a chick.

I have to admit I have not read the guide either. I tend to go with my gut.
Keep putting you hand in and leave it there. It will help them to learn you are not a monster out to get them. I say the more you play with them the better. In a few weeks they will go through a stage were they won't like you for anything but don't worry it will pass.

Sounds good--while they're in the water. Once they get out, it might be a bit less fun.

Further, a dab of penetrating oil is just as good at loosening poop as water is (gun or hair oil works well.) And in all honesty, I've found that the easiest, quickest approach is to take a pair of pliers and crush the dry poop to dust.

X2

 

[Willowspirit]

It makes

Also for me, I am almost never on the floor any more because it's so hard and painful to get back up - but I know I'm gonna do it anyway! probably be good for me in the long run.

If it helps to know this I am slightly stronger for getting down on the floor for chicks and dragging myself back up. My go-to is toddler style: hands flat on the floor then straighten my legs until my butt is in the air and I can get up all the way! And I used to dance and skate as an adult!

 

[Celticdragonfly]

If it helps to know this I am slightly stronger for getting down on the floor for chicks and dragging myself back up. My go-to is toddler style: hands flat on the floor then straighten my legs until my butt is in the air and I can get up all the way! And I used to dance and skate as an adult!

I hope I will get stronger for it. I used to be on the floor tons - I'd be down there when my kids were babies, all the time. And I used to dance. But - gradual damage from repeated knee accidents as a teen, plus autoimmune damage to the joints and fibromyalgia, and I've gradually become a non-moving person. And of course gained more weight. Hopefully the chickens will help encourage me to move more.

 

[Celticdragonfly]

Do chicks sleep all night like adult chickens? Or do they have periods of sleep and wake back and forth like human babies?