Chicks won’t stop crying?!!!

[BigBlueHen53]

At night turn all lights off. They need it to be dark so they can sleep. They may just be exhausted. They should not need a heat source, if they get cold they can huddle together for warmth.

 

[BastyPutt]

I have 3 day old chicks in an unheated cardboard box right now and they're doing perfect. I'll cover them up with a towel for the evening in a few minutes and that's all they need

Eeeek - three days is a bit little to leave unsupervised without a heat source overnight. At least it can cause undue stress on them, as overheating them will as well.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Plate looks pretty low in the photos, can you at least tilt one end up? They should be able to touch it sitting and standing (and they're taller than the plate is).

Otherwise, if you know there's nothing wrong in the set up, just walk away. Sounds heartless but they can cry themselves to sleep. I don't baby them.

 

[Wubba]

Were they part of a larger flock and separated? I have 3 week old chicks and if they get separated from each other, they panic and start crying. It could be separation anxiety?

 

[Saveria]

It sounds like they imprinted on you, so they think you are their parent basically. You should probably just hold them less and let them chirp, it will be better for them (and you) in the long run.

 

[Red Mangrove]

Eeeek - three days is a bit little to leave unsupervised without a heat source overnight. At least it can cause undue stress on them, as overheating them will as well.

I normally let my hens do all of the raising around here, so I don't have any proper heat sources. I'm being extra merciful by placing these three sickly chicks into a cardboard box in my house. I think they're going through extra problems initially due to their unnatural breed (Indio Gigante / Red Junglefowl) so I'll give some bonus help for the time being

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

I normally let my hens do all of the raising around here, so I don't have any proper heat sources. I'm being extra merciful by placing these three sickly chicks into a cardboard box in my house. I think they're going through extra problems initially due to their unnatural breed (Indio Gigante / Red Junglefowl) so I'll give some bonus help for the time being

Just be aware, without heat and no feathers they will easily become chilled

 

[macmac955]

Your setup looks really good, it isn't too big that they get too far away from each other but big enough that they can get some space.

Our brooder is in my office in my house, so I would talk to the chicks and they had music all day, then at the end of my work day, I would top off food and water, give them some feed by hand, pet each chick goodnight. (yes, I am a crazy chicken lady..lol) and turn the light off, just at sunset, they would all start chirping really loudly for a few minutes, then off to sleep and they were really quiet all through the night.

When they were about 3 weeks, I had the brooder plate set on warm instead of brood and raised to its highest point. (at 4 weeks, I had it standing on its side. ) Does your brooder plate have a warm setting, brooder could be too warm for them, and I am sure if they felt cold they would go under it or as close together as they needed. Maybe they need a little extra attention or as Evadig mentioned, try music.


since there are only 3 of them maybe they get a little lonely?

Thanks. My brooder plate doesn’t have a heat setting, but I can adjust the height. Last night the chicks slept together in the corner and got quiet. Thanks for the suggestions, I’ll make sure to try them.

 

[macmac955]

Were they part of a larger flock and separated? I have 3 week old chicks and if they get separated from each other, they panic and start crying. It could be separation anxiety?

Yes, they were in a larger flock at my friends house. You’re probably right.

 

[macmac955]

At night turn all lights off. They need it to be dark so they can sleep. They may just be exhausted. They should not need a heat source, if they get cold they can huddle together for warmth.

Ohhh okay. I didn’t realize I had to turn the lights off. I thought chickens couldn’t see in the dark, so I never turned them off.