Chick pecking brooder? Is something wrong with her?

[Goose_the_cat]

We just got 5 new silkie chicks and they are about 3 weeks old. One of the chicks Patches, has always been a curious little chick, pecking everything that was shiny, red or just stood out to her, but now I’m concerned as she will constantly peck the side of her brooder. At first I thought it was funny as she wouldn’t do it very often in the beginning but now it’s constant and not to mention a little annoying and concerning. I often give all of the chicks some enrichment, such as different fruits, different cardboard toys, and lots of hand holding and interaction. All of the chicks stay in a relatively small brooder (which I plan to change soon to a much larger brooder) made from a storage bin with ventilation on top, and the sides of the brooder are almost clear. I would just like to know what to do about Patches pecking the side of the brooder, eventually I want her to stop pecking the side of the brooder and I also want to know whether or not I should be concerned about this?

 

[GodLovesU]

What are you feeding her?I wonder if she could be searching for some nutrient that she is not getting.

 

[AGeese]

Ventilation on top? Is there a reason it isn't open? Pecking could be curiosity, bordem, agitation or agression. Is it too hot in the brooder? Are they cramped up for space? By three weeks mine were beginning to fly up and out.

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's boredom. Once you have them moved outside the behavior should stop.

 

[Goose_the_cat]

What are you feeding her?I wonder if she could be searching for some nutrient that she is not getting.

She is currently being switched very slowly from what she was originally being fed at her previous home, which was DeMor 24% meat bird starter and now we are switching her to, MannaPro Medicated Chick Grower.

Ventilation on top? Is there a reason it isn't open? Pecking could be curiosity, bordem, agitation or agression. Is it too hot in the brooder? Are they cramped up for space? By three weeks mine were beginning to fly up and out.

The ventilation is cut out squares covered with hardware cloth, because we have a cat in the house, and the have a heating plate in there brooder which they can jump onto and potentially jump out. I’m guessing it’s not to hot in the brooder as the window to outside is often open, and my house stays relatively cool. They also all will go under the heating plate at night, which I assume means that they are not too hot.

It's boredom. Once you have them moved outside the behavior should stop.

Ok, I will try and add more enrichment to their brooder for the time being.

 

[AGeese]

I'd still keep an eye on temps with a termometer. You can get a cheap gun for 10 bucks on Amazon.

Mine do like to play the drums with any metal they can find.

 

[tlcmurphy]

How big is the brooder? Pic? Sounds like there’s too little space for them.