Bored or lonely?

[Newlychickly]

Whenever I leave my chicks and leave to another room they start chirping loudly and when I go and sit near them they are okay... What does that mean? Are they lonely, scared or just bored ? What should I do to help them?

 

[chooks4life]

It means they think you're their mother, lol. They feel unprotected and afraid when you're gone, because chicks that lose their mother are in danger. So they're trying to establish where you are and reconcile via vocalizations.

Same thing as you see with chicks that get separated from their mothers when free ranging.

About the only thing you can do is let them get the idea they've lost their mother. It's natural for them to be abandoned when they're at an age where they can cope. Some mothers gradually abandon them, others just abruptly leave them without warning. If you stop responding they will fairly soon get the idea they no longer have a mother.

Best wishes.