chicks cold or just cuddling?

[sassychiken]

Ok, first query from a new mother ;-)

When my chicks are awake, they are very sprightly -- eating, pooping, drinking, pooping, cheaping, pooping, and appear to play in between pooping. But when they sleep they bundle up together.

They shouldn't be cold and their awake behavior doesn't indicate it (their little brooder is at about 88-89 right now); when they are awake they don't huddle. Is this just sleepy comfort or are they too chilled?

Incidentally, watching chicks fall asleep is the FUNNIEST. THING. EVER.

 

[ranchhand]

How old are they? Generally, the first week is recommended at 95F, then drop by 5F each week thereafter.

Sounds like they're okay, mine always pile up to sleep, too!

ETA, yeah, the pooping never stops!

 

[Tala]

Maybe cool, but if they are truely COLD they squalk and peep as LOUD as they can!!! You will know about it.

It's much more frantic, and constant, non-stop high pitched stuff, compared to the random chattering that they do as they eat and mill around. To hear an example, turn the light off and let it be dark for a few minutes. CHicks are afraid of the sudden darkness and go into "cheep mode" then.

 

[wombat]

Mine have always slept huddled together, I judged cold or hot by how close to the heat lamp they bedded down.

Then there was the one that would sleep by herself, sprawled face down, wings stuck out. I thought she was dead the first few times. We named her "Pancake."

 

[PunkinPeep]

Yeah, chickens are just cuddly.

 

[sassychiken]

They were just born..er...hatched two days ago so just fuzzy wee ones. But yeah they aren't peeping excessively. They just "chatter" slightly. Pleasant little peeping, nothing crazy.

I think one has imprinted on my cocker spaniel Daisy, LOL. They have their little faces pressed together with the wire inbetween.

Thanks guys!

 

[Judy]

It is a matter of cuddling versus piling. If they get on top of each other, they are piling, they are too cold, and they will suffocate the ones on the bottom. Chickens will cuddle even when grown. A chick propping his head on the nearest one is cuddling. Chicks climbing on top of other sleeping chicks is piling.

Ranchhand's temp scale is the usually accepted one, but my experience is that this is actually a bit warm for them. Since they seem comfortable when awake, I imagine they are plenty warm.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Flock animals, perfectly normal. I have 13 almost grown and they sleep on 5' of roosting pole out of 40'. It's funny to watch them squish together sometimes knocking each other off.

EDIT: Just wanted to add my 22 chicks sleep the same as yours, in bundles.

Marty

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I agree

 

[silkiechick236]

Then there was the one that would sleep by herself, sprawled face down, wings stuck out. I thought she was dead the first few times. We named her "Pancake."

LOVE IT!!!