Chicks Don't Go to Sleep

[Chirp4Chickens]

So while my friend is on vacation, I'm taking care of her chicks. We're not professionals.

So I let them out at daytime and they run all over the yard. They love it.

But when I bring them inside, they just run all over and try to get out. I can't let them out at night 'cause stray cats come here, there are SO many places to escape from, and it's kinda chilly. They never really go to sleep except when the whole house is quiet. And my family is LOUD. So they basically never sleep. I know that's bad for them, but they want to play 24/7. They sleep in a medium-sized cardboard box with a net over it. Is that bad? Maybe it's too small.... but I don't know if I should get a box without telling my friend.

 

[Judy]

They need a dark or darkened, quiet place to sleep.

 

[MuddyBootsPA]

Keep it dark where they are. I used to lay a towel over 3/4 of the brooder - enough to darken it, but not enough to let them not breathe. Also be very careful if they are still under a heat lamp if you are using a towel or cardboard box. Extremely flammable!