Baby chicks perching

[Kickstart]

Hi
First time for me raising chicks. I have four 2.5 week old chicks that are free ranging with the hen. Tonight we found the four of them perched under the hens wings on the top perch with the other hens, at least a metre off the ground. There is a ramp leading up to the bottom perch and they can walk up the side rail to top perch. Has anyone come across this before.

 

[annanicole18]

Yes, they love to do what momma does. It's natural for them to want to get off the ground for safety.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Hi
First time for me raising chicks. I have four 2.5 week old chicks that are free ranging with the hen. Tonight we found the four of them perched under the hens wings on the top perch with the other hens, at least a metre off the ground. There is a ramp leading up to the bottom perch and they can walk up the side rail to top perch. Has anyone come across this before.

Nothing unusual going on here, in fact it would be unusual if the hen did NOT take her brood to roost in a similar fashion.

 

[theoldchick]

Good for them! They are growing up!

 

[Kickstart]

Awesome thanks I was a bit concerned they were too high up. There is loads of straw under them but was not certain.

 

[BuckeyeBirdies]

They watch and learn from mommy. Sounds like she is doing a good job! Enjoy your babies they grow so fast!

 

[chuckachucka]

Chicks are surprisingly good at bouncing when they fall from heights! A metre or so won't hurt them if they did fall. As soon as they have their wing feathers they are good to roost.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've had a broody hen take her chicks to the roosts when they were 2 weeks old. I was lucky enough to be down there when she did it. The chicks flew from the floor to the top of my nests, about 2 feet (60 cm) high. Then they flew up another 2' (60 cm) vertically and 3' (90 cm) horizontally to get to the roosts where Mama was waiting. It was obvious from watching them fly that at two weeks they could have gone a lot further if they needed to.

Since they do have feathered out wings and can fly, if they fall they spread their wings to soften their landing. From a meter up they will land on their feet and will not be injured. I've seen a broody hen get her newly hatched chicks out of a 10 feet (3 meters) high hay loft, no wing feathers. She said jump and they did, and bounced up to run to her. Those newly hatched chicks flapped their featherless wings which kept them upright so they landed on their bottoms. Your 2-1/2 week old chicks will land a lot softer than those did.

If you are lucky enough to see the hen bring them down in the morning don't be surprised if they fly instead of use the ramp. Those chicks at 2-1/2 weeks old are not nearly as helpless or fragile as many people think.

 

[Mimiruu]

When my babies perch I always feel so proud. They grow up so fast