Chicks Stressed, or just Sassy?

[BrideofChicky]

I own five chicks right now, with three being 3-weeks old and two being 2-weeks old. Recently they've began to get more vicious, but even then I'm not sure if that's just my anxiety thinking or what.

They all eat and drink just fine, the temperature is consistent and perfect, i change their water every morning and every night before bed. As of recent, they've started to do a lot of running around and throwing themselves into each other and the walls. Sometimes they peck each other and scream while flapping their wings. Is this stress behavior or is this the pecking order they've come to develop?

To be safe, should I upgrade the size of their enclosure and provide more enrichment? I've heard they like dust baths and perches. Does anyone know what dust I could use for them?

Honestly I just need someone to tell me what I actually need to be looking out for, and what's just be being an anxious freak. Thank you!

 

[cavemanrich]

To be safe, should I upgrade the size of their enclosure and provide more enrichment? I've heard they like dust baths and perches. Does anyone know what dust I could use for them?

A larger brooder is always a good idea. Have heat source at one end,, to allow chicks to choose their own comfort zone. Place some interesting things inside, to give chicks places to hide, and climb/jump on. Small cardboard boxes work fine. Things you just make in odd shapes are also good. (wood, cardboard)
Skip any dust baths at this time,, They do not need such as chicks.
Post a pix of you chicks as they are housed currently. Maybe things are fine,, with just a few tweaks.

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[rosemarythyme]

Sounds like they're just playing.

How big is the brooder? Is there anything in there for them to interact with? One thing you can try giving them is a clump of dirt and grass (no fertilizer, herbicide etc) and roots and let them play with it. They'll nibble on it and might try to dust bathe in the dirt, but it'll also help expose them to some of the natural bacteria and microbes from outside.

 

[Lor]

When my chicks got a bit rambunctious I put a couple of clay pots upside down for them to hop on and off of. A week later I found some leftover wood pieces and stacked them on top of each other. That kept them happy for a short time. LOL
I used an inexpensive, small dish tub for dust bathing. They seemed to like it. I only added that when I caught one of the chicks dust bathing in the brooder shavings.
Adding more space is always a good thing.