Crying habit in the morning

[arthury]

Hi there,

I have 6 chicks (4 are 6+ week old and 2 are 4+week old). We free-range them in the day and herd them into the coop+run in the evening. They are used to getting into the coop every night now.
However, every morning, perhaps 2-3 hours after the sun has risen, 4 of the physically smaller ones go into a crying mode. The chirps are whinny 5-6 chirps nagging cry. It's a sad cry and I know they used it when they are hungry. But, they are not hungry because there are plenty of food and water. The moment I let them out, the crying stop instantly. Trust me, the coop+run is large enough based on the recommendations of multiple books.

I have an up coming trip and am deciding whether to let them free-range for a period of several days instead of locking them in the coop+run with lots of foods and water. I know safety is higher in the coop+run but their crying may annoy the neighbors.

Do free-range chickens becomes coop-intolerant?
It seems like only the smaller Barred Rocks and Rhode Islands are doing the crying. The large Orpingtons are nice and quiet.

 

[angel8035]

Are they getting cold in the mornings? 4 weeks is a little small to be outdoors at night. Do you still have a heat lamp for them?

 

[arthury]

Are they getting cold in the mornings? 4 weeks is a little small to be outdoors at night. Do you still have a heat lamp for them?

Our weather here is pretty mild: high 50's in the morning and 70-80's in the day during this time of the year.
They are out now and doing their foraging and scratching on the dirt and they are happy and quiet.

 

[Den in Penn]

They are complaining about being in the coop while daylight is burning and the bugs are getting away. They'll have you trained soon enough to let them out early.

 

[arthury]

They are complaining about being in the coop while daylight is burning and the bugs are getting away. They'll have you trained soon enough to let them out early.

Yes, you're probably right.

 

[Percheron chick]

Chicks cry for 2 things. When they're hungry or cold. At 4 weeks they aren't fully feathered and still need heat it it's 50 in the AM. They stop crying when you let them out because the sun warms them and they are running around.

 

[arthury]

Last evening, the chicks did the most heart-warming thing for me ... they entered the coop by themselves. What a flock of thinking chicks!

There's a slight mist and floating water-vapor in the air this morning but the coop and run are covered. They are very contented to stay in there even though the door of the coop is opened.
Do chicks avoid wetness like a plague?

 

[arthury]

Chicks cry for 2 things. When they're hungry or cold. At 4 weeks they aren't fully feathered and still need heat it it's 50 in the AM. They stop crying when you let them out because the sun warms them and they are running around.

Thanks for the reminder.

When I tried to identify who was crying the most and loudest, it came from the 6+ week Barred Rocks, who look fully feathered. My Barred Rocks seem to be the nosiest compared to the RIR and Orps.
The ones who are 4-5 week old are the RIR.

 

[angel8035]

Just FYI:

When you order chicks from us or hatch your own chicks in an incubator, you have to supply them the warmth that they need. A heat lamp works great for this, (just be careful to get one that is safe to use with the chicks — if in doubt, you can order a heat lamp or brooder from us). The table below shows the temperature to keep the baby chicks at as they grow.
Week 1: 90-95 F
Week 2: 85-90 F
Week 3: 80-85 F
Week 4: 75-80 F
Week 5: 70-75 F
Week 6: 70 F

After the 6th week they shouldn't need additional heat because they will be fully feathered.

 

[4 the Birds]

Just FYI:

When you order chicks from us or hatch your own chicks in an incubator, you have to supply them the warmth that they need. A heat lamp works great for this, (just be careful to get one that is safe to use with the chicks — if in doubt, you can order a heat lamp or brooder from us). The table below shows the temperature to keep the baby chicks at as they grow.
Week 1: 90-95 F
Week 2: 85-90 F
Week 3: 80-85 F
Week 4: 75-80 F
Week 5: 70-75 F
Week 6: 70 F

After the 6th week they shouldn't need additional heat because they will be fully feathered.

+1

I would give them a heat lamp until they are at least 6 weeks of age along with plenty of chick feed. Ours stay in the brooder until that age and then graduate to a segregated coop area for another week or two away from the main flock. If your neighbors can hear your 6 week olds then they will for sure get an "ear full" when they get older and sound their egg song!