Chick chirping really loudly before bedtime

[AlexEve]

For the past 2 days one of my 6.5 week old chicks has been peeping like mad right before bedtime. She quiets down once it gets dark out, but for a solid 2 hours she throws a “temper tantrum” during evening hours. What can I do to stop her from doing this?

 

[limaro]

Does anything else seem amiss? As long as she seems healthy and the coop or brooder are all okay, I wouldn't worry. Keep an eye on her and make sure nothing changes. But maybe she just has a lot to say and wants to get it off her mind before bedtime

 

[JaeG]

Our little pullet does this as well. She complains when it is bedtime. She and her brother are inside (they are tiny bantams and it's winter where I am) and until it's completely dark our Squeaks (who lives up to her name) will moan and carry on most piteously. She started it when she was around 6 weeks old as well. She's just turned 8 weeks old and she will carry on for at least 20 mins, just like your little chick.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Chicks make a lot of noise before bedtime. It's just what they do.

 

[amk122284]

All 10 of our 6.5 week girls start peeping out of control when I go out to tuck them in lol I find it kind of funny. About 5-10 mins after I've closed up the coop they all quiet and find their place to hunker down for the night.

 

[AlexEve]

Our little pullet does this as well. She complains when it is bedtime. She and her brother are inside (they are tiny bantams and it's winter where I am) and until it's completely dark our Squeaks (who lives up to her name) will moan and carry on most piteously. She started it when she was around 6 weeks old as well. She's just turned 8 weeks old and she will carry on for at least 20 mins, just like your little chick.

Darn! From this evenings experience, I think I need to get the birds in the coop as soon as the excessive chirping starts, and cover up the vents which let light in. I found them like this a few mins ago, must be getting to the age where they need a higher roost

 

[rosemarythyme]

When will they grow out of this?

Never, possibly. Not unusual for hens to make a ruckus while settling down on roosts at night.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Darn! From this evenings experience, I think I need to get the birds in the coop as soon as the excessive chirping starts, and cover up the vents which let light in.

Don't cover up the vents - they want that light to be able to make any last minute adjustments while on roost (or to get back on if they fall off). Also you should always have ample ventilation open for them.

 

[AlexEve]

Don't cover up the vents - they want that light to be able to make any last minute adjustments while on roost (or to get back on if they fall off). Also you should always have ample ventilation open for them.

There is a small vent that is always open which lets a low amount of light in, enough for the birds to see. It is also right where they sleep, so they get fresh air the whole night up there.

 

[AlexEve]

Hope that vent is good for a minimum 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird year round, or you have other vents that can be used depending on season. If you have hotter summers, more may be necessary to help let out heat. Even in colder climates, in winter, you'll need to find a way to vent out moisture to keep chickens dry and thus warm.

Yes, I have big triangular vents on each side of the coop and a thinner one running along the top of one wall, which are exposed during the day and covered up in the evening for the chicks bedtime (with the exception of the thin one)