Did I accidentally scare my baby chicks by giving them a grasshopper?

[RoyalChick]

Mine are afraid of butterflies. It's a whole thing that involves screeching and running and flinging of shavings when one flies close to the run. They're 7 weeks old. So it could be that the big bug scared them. It might be the younger kids bumping the brooder. Or they might just be in a phase. I've got some 5 week olds that thought I was the devil for a while. Then all of a sudden, they decided they like me. I've got 3 week olds who liked me at first and then after I had to euthanize one of their brooder mates that was a FTT, they are scared of me too. I don't know if it's the brooder mate that disappeared or just coincidence in the timing that got them.

Either way, don't worry too much. Your chicks will probably come back around.

ETA- if these folks say it wasn't the bug, believe them. Lol, I'm very new to chickens, and they know more than I do. I know for a fact mine are afraid of butterflies, but if these folks don't think a grasshopper would scare them, they're likely correct.

Chicks afraid of butterflies is pretty funny. I suspect they will grow out of that fear pretty soon!

 

[Xadok]

Welcome to BYC! I agree with the others that it was due to the brooder being pushed. I've accidentally done it myself, and they DID NOT like it. Chickens are pretty resilient though. With some patience, they will bounce back and take to you. Enjoy your new babies

Ok, thank you

 

[ChickenChick46]

Chicks afraid of butterflies is pretty funny. I suspect they will grow out of that fear pretty soon!

I hope so, lol. We've got so many butterflies right now, and I absolutely love them, so I've got flowers planted strategically to attract them. One flies too near the chicken run and they start screeching. The first time it happened, I panicked and thought something must've gotten in the run with them. Nope, just the passing swallowtail...

 

[Susan Skylark]

I raise quail, they are afraid of everything, at least until they decide they can eat it! I was mobbed today checking water, several of our hens decided I looked tasty, good thing they are little, apparently my son has been hand feeding treats! The chicks really throw a fit (panic calls, sulky) when you turn off the heat lamp, switch to pellets, or trade the water bottle for a nipple, chicken little was actually a quail! Enjoy your babies!

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

You should see mine, when a butterfly comes near!
Oh yes, they go flapping and screaming….
Towards it! Chomp, chomp, chomp! It kinda looks like those cartoons of the crocodile swamp when a bird flies too low!

Also, one of my 4-day-old broody chicks caught a stink bug at least the size of her head, dragged it to the corner, and swallowed it whole!
Nom nom nom!

 

[ChickenChick46]

You should see mine, when a butterfly comes near!
Oh yes, they go flapping and screaming….
Towards it! Chomp, chomp, chomp! It kinda looks like those cartoons of the crocodile swamp when a bird flies too low!

Also, one of my 4-day-old broody chicks caught a stink bug at least the size of her head, dragged it to the corner, and swallowed it whole!
Nom nom nom!

Lol good for her! So cute! Mine seem to have a particular fondness for grubs. One will unearth one, make the "best treat ever" noises, and then a chaotic chase ensues because they all want the grub.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

Lol good for her! So cute! Mine seem to have a particular fondness for grubs. One will unearth one, make the "best treat ever" noises, and then a chaotic chase ensues because they all want the grub.

Oh yes!
One thing that drove me nuts about my first batch, was that when my Welsummer unearthed a new bug, she would snatch it up, and run -waving it through the air- through the biggest crowd of chicks she could find….
And of course, CHAOS!!!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you are feeding grasshoppers, are you also providing grit?

Would your sibs sit still if they were allowed to hold a chick quietly in their lap? Are they old enough not to hurt it? If they get rough you should take it away. Later let them try again if you think it's safe and appropriate. With practice they should get better.