Chirping and lights

[Slaphappy]

I have set the lighting in my basement utility room to sunrise and sunset. First night with the fluffs. The lights just turned off and they are chirping like nuts. Will this subside? Get used to it type thing? Been quite and happy all day.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

Do they have heat when the light is off?

 

[Slaphappy]

Do they have heat when the light is off?

Yes premier one heating plate. It's quited down after 30 mins in the dark

 

[Tortoise]

I'm not experienced by no means. However, I am raising 4 young chicks in my dining room.They would do the same thing every night. I would guide them under the heat plate a couple times and then they would quiet down. I only had too do this for 3-4 nights and then they did it on their own.
They acted like they were scared and that my guidance to the heat settled them.
Just my little experience.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Very normal....and yes they adjust. It helps if you use a dimmer or otherwise gradually lessen the light (ie a progressive covering of the brooder) so they get the "time for bed" signal, or listen and catch the moment they have all settled and turn off the lights then vs while they are out and active (tricky part is not making noise or movement that draws them back out in trying to get to the light switch, lol)

 

[Slaphappy]

All settled. Successful first day I think.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

There is no sweeter sound than the happy purring trills of a brood of chicks settling in under a heat pad/plate/broody hen....this will replace the frantic chirps in the days to come.

 

[tpatricco]

I have set the lighting in my basement utility room to sunrise and sunset. First night with the fluffs. The lights just turned off and they are chirping like nuts. Will this subside? Get used to it type thing? Been quite and happy all day.

Yes! Mine do the same. We've taken to stepping down the light levels for them as bedtime approaches. But when we shut that last light they all peep like crazy as they move back over to their heat plate to settle down for the night. Once they're settled then it's pretty quiet, just some soft chirping among them as they fall asleep. Super cute.

 

[ZooAtHome]

My chicks range from 6-8 weeks old and they still have a few moments of dismayed chirping when the light first goes out. After a minute or two, they settle into a cozy pile and then just the occasional soft, contented chirp as they all fall asleep.