Do chicks need toys

[IceChicken]

Do Chicks need toys or something to be entretien?, I am worried that my chick is bored, I have him in a box with a heat lamp, water, food and a box if he wants to be in a dark place, he is a newborn.

 

[sourland]

If it is only one chick, give it a mirror for company.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Do Chicks need toys or something to be entretien?,

No, chicks do not need toys to be entertained. Some room helps though. They like to scratch just like adults. Sometimes they will take off running just for fun. They often like to perch so something a few inches up off the brooder floor may be used. You can do things for them but it's not a need. They will not die if they don't have toys. The more room they have the better though so they can entertain themselves.

I am worried that my chick is bored, I have him in a box with a heat lamp, water, food and a box if he wants to be in a dark place, he is a newborn.

Chickens are social animals. They like being around other chicks. They can be lonely if there is only one. That's different from being bored. I read your post the same way Sourland does, that you only have one. That can be a problem.

If you put a mirror in there so it can see its own reflection that can really help. A stuffed animal in there so it can cuddle can also help keep it from being lonely. I don't now your circumstances or what is going on but adding another chick or two the same age if you can would be a good thing to do if it is alone.

 

[Davethebirdman]

Do Chicks need toys or something to be entretien?, I am worried that my chick is bored, I have him in a box with a heat lamp, water, food and a box if he wants to be in a dark place, he is a newborn.

He needs another chick. They should never be alone.

 

[Lisa3315]

I would maybe worry about the chick being lonely if it's all by itself...

Some things I have put in my brooder to keep my chicks entertained:

- drawing dots and bugs with Sharpie on the side of the cardboard box I'm using as their brooder. They get really excited pecking at the dots and 'bugs'​

- like the other commenter mentioned, I put a little mirror on the side of the box. They like to peck at the mirror and admire their reflections.​

- perches of different heights and widths. They have been perching on them, sleeping on them, walking on them, and jumping on and off them. I've also made a see-saw with the pieces of wood and dowel, and I'm not sure if they loved it, but I thought it was adorable.​

- I made a little swing out of a piece of wood and string and hung it from the top of their brooder. Admittedly, this hasn't been the most popular toy so far... they are pretty freaked out by it and mostly just try to peck at the string it's hanging from, but I have caught a couple of them sitting on it.​

- I put a small wood crate tipped on one side, so they can jump on top of it and hang out or hide/sleep in it like a little cave.​

- I put a shiny, silver bicycle bell in there, and they kind of look at themselves and peck at it to make it ring.​

- I also try to leave some open spaces with fresh, deep shavings so they can take dust baths. I tried a box with sand and dirt, but they seem to prefer the pine shavings​

​

I've also heard putting a stuffed animal in the brooder can be good for younger chicks, so you might try that? I've also heard some people putting a classic ostrich feather duster in the brooder, feather side down, so the chick can kind of hide in the feathers like it would a hen?

 

[Davethebirdman]

Birds are extremely social and should never be raised in isolation. It isn’t normally done and can affect their behavior negatively later on. Chicks are constantly exploring their environments they are just babies. They aren’t playing rather exploring.

 

[IceChicken]

ok thank everyone I would put a mirror and a stuffed animal, but I can't buy another chick, can a lonely chick survive? what are does negative behaviors?

 

[Davethebirdman]

You can’t raise it alone. It would be better for you to give it to another group of chicks to a good home. They can get very neurotic. Birds are flock animals.

 

[Ridgerunner]

can a lonely chick survive?

Yes, they can survive. It is distressing to be raised by itself though. Some do fine, some don't thrive as well as they would with company. Some people do keep single chickens but it can be harder.

what are does negative behaviors?

Chicks usually bond with their mothers and other chicks. The chick may imprint on you, peeping constantly when you are not around. Or maybe something else. That's why the stuffed animal, it may imprint on that.

If you are integrating a single chick with other chickens that can be harder than if there were a few of them.

 

[Davethebirdman]

Chicks easily integrate with other chicks. He will do great in a loving home filled with birds.