Can chicks get separation anxiety??

[jessicagoddard]

This may seem like a silly question, and I would’ve never thought of something like this. However, I just bought a couple chicks about 4 days ago. I’ve been spending a lot of time with them (I keep the chicks in my room) and they have started squawking loudly and trying to escape the cage whenever I put them down. They always try and exit to the bars closest to where I am. Can chicks imprint on you? If so, how do I stop this? Sometimes it goes on for longer before they give up. I’m not sure if they want me, or just want out. This photo is taken from where I usually sit. They will pace back and forth on this side for a while.

 

[jessicagoddard]

This may seem like a silly question, and I would’ve never thought of something like this. However, I just bought a couple chicks about 4 days ago. I’ve been spending a lot of time with them (I keep the chicks in my room) and they have started squawking loudly and trying to escape the cage whenever I put them down. They always try and exit to the bars closest to where I am. Can chicks imprint on you? If so, how do I stop this? Sometimes it goes on for longer before they give up. I’m not sure if they want me, or just want out. This photo is taken from where I usually sit. They will pace back and forth on this side for a while.

They have a large cage as well. So space wouldn’t be a problem. This is the same cage I’ve used for all my chicks in the past.

 

[Allthefloofs]

I'm pretty sure someone way more experienced will have an amazing answer to this, but anecdotally, I spend a lot of time with my girls when they arrive. I try to hold and talk to them frequently as babies and they have learned that when I walk away if they distress call to me I will come to check on them...so they do it pretty often . Once I put my hand in the enclosure they cuddle up to it and settle down. I have read in the past that chickens don't imprint the same way other precocial birds do, but I think they clearly form an attachment to us as caregivers and feel safe with us. My kids refer to me as "Momma chicken" when they talk to the girls because they always respond differently to me than to anyone else. My advice is to embrace it a little, it makes for really attached chickens later. I have one that was particularly attached to me (she would get so comfy she would fall asleep as a chick when I picked her up and yelled constantly when I was moving around the room) and now she falls asleep as I am worming her . My kids call her the "narcoleptic chicken" because she is so relaxed when we pick her up! I know a lady who puts a small stuffed animal in her enclosure for her girls to cuddle with, maybe that would help? Just keep it away from the heat lamp I guess?