Entertaining Chicks.

[The Happster]

I have two three week old chicks and one has been cheeping all day today.
I've tried everything, from treats to hugging, I raised and lowered the heat lamp.
He only went quiet when I fed him treats or hugged him.They have access to chick crumb and water.
I think he's bored.
I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of how to keep them busy. They have a separate box for scratching around in; which is usually attached all day.
I just gave them the end of a cucumber which they straight away started pecking at. He stopped cheeping then.
I'm also wondering if he is just eating the treats and not eating the normal chick feed. He usually just chucks the chick feed out.
So I am slowing down a little on the treat offering. The cucumber I gave because it would keep him occupied for quite a while.
They have been out for a run this morning, and they will be out again soon.
Thoughts?

 

[Acre4Me]

Are you giving chick grit (small bits of crushed granite)? They need grit for anything other than prepared feed. Yes, agree that treats should be stopped or given minimally towards the later afternoon when they have eaten a good amount of regular feed. Treats dilute the nutrition and protein of the feed. They are growing rapidly, so they need the good protein and nutrition

put in a low perch.

try an unbreakabke mirror.

Add some small black dots to the side of brooder to mimic bugs which they will peck are now and again.

Give them visual disruptions, so that they can get out of each other’s sight now and again, but not get cornered. In a regular run, a pallet leaned up against a fence or building can provide this (just don't put it in a corner), as an example

basically they are not too complex. They dust bathe, they perch, they chirp at each other so they are not looking For a playground. They have company of each other.

good luck

 

[The Happster]

They have a separate box with earth in, and I keep taking them out to explore the garden, so I have not put grit in.
I just wet some of the food to make it harder for him to chuck out, and they ate it all so I put more in.
I'm only giving them very healthy treats; occasionally some Greek yogurt, a piece of some type of vegetable to peck at, some oats, ect. But I'm still going to give less. I just love seeing them enjoying eating treats.(especially yoghurt, it gets EVERYWHERE)
I was thinking about a perch, was going to set that up today. Might also try the 'bugs'. Thanks. I think the chick is probably a bit spoilt and screaming at me because he wants yoghurt....
Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Acre4Me]

You’re welcome.

grit provides them the “teeth” they need to grind up their food. The rocks stay in their system to grind things up...eventually the rocks pass through and they look for more.

enjoy your chicks

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

You may find that you have a chatty bird. ive had many birds that were only quiet when they slept. I have 13 of them now. Lol Ive found that if I dont use a covered feeder then the babies just jump in and start digging for the bits they want. Which in turn mean chick starter everywhere lol. I will open it up sometimes just to let them have fun then I clean out the feeder and the brooder. I love to just sit and watch them do there little chick thing.

 

[The Happster]

You’re welcome.

grit provides them the “teeth” they need to grind up their food. The rocks stay in their system to grind things up...eventually the rocks pass through and they look for more.

enjoy your chicks

Yeah haha.
I've had chickens and chicks for quite a while now.
But it's good to refresh my memory. I was a bit worried they wouldn't be getting enough from the dirt I put in there as it's mainly soil and not tons of grit.
I'm going to put some more in there today anyway.
Thank you! They are such scamps. Usually I have one of the broodies look after the chicks, but this time it didn't go as planned; I was hoping to add these two under my broody to go with the chick she is raising, but it didn't work. The chick wasn't 100% for a few days so I couldn't put them under in time.
But it's kind of nice being so close to them. They sleep in their boxes in my room. Wake me up at 5 every morning wanting to party.

You may find that you have a chatty bird. ive had many birds that were only quiet when they slept. I have 13 of them now. Lol Ive found that if I dont use a covered feeder then the babies just jump in and start digging for the bits they want. Which in turn mean chick starter everywhere lol. I will open it up sometimes just to let them have fun then I clean out the feeder and the brooder. I love to just sit and watch them do there little chick thing.

You're right...he is very chatty.
He escapes from the brooder the minute it starts getting light in the morning and flies onto my bed. S-p-o-i-l-t. Put him back in and he's out again. He's been escaping since he was under a week old. He's now just three weeks. I'm going to be waking up to a fully fledged roo flying into my face soon. Lol.
I do love watching them scratch the food out... The little digging move is just adorable. Mini chicken version.
They learn so fast.
The cool place to be right now is in the food dish it seems. I gave them a tiny bit of yoghurt on a tea spoon the other day and left the rest to give to them later. Came back to my room and they'd both escaped, and there was no yoghurt to be seen except on their beaks...and one had trodden on the spoon and walked it everywhere.
Gotta love them though.

 

[Ryguy3684]

I tie a string around a head of cabbage and hang it off the ground. It's endless entertainment for them. They treat it like a tether ball. They also make a metal cage that fits a head of cabbage, lettuce, or any other greens you want to pack in it. If they are eating anything besides crumbles and mash, they definitely need chick grit available

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

Yeah I would say you have a couple of spoiled little chicks on your hands lol. Love it!!! I dont have one animals that isnt spoiled rotten

 

[The Happster]

I have just put in three perches. One is quite high, but they can get up there easily.
They would fall on hay if they fell, so no worries there.
All good suggestions, thanks for your help.

Yeah I would say you have a couple of spoiled little chicks on your hands lol. Love it!!! I dont have one animals that isnt spoiled rotten

You and me both.
When I made them their brooder I was thinking about making it two or three storeys....maybe with a balcony.
Guess they'll just have to make do with one for now.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

I have just put in three perches. One is quite high, but they can get up there easily.
They would fall on hay if they fell, so no worries there.
All good suggestions, thanks for your help.


You and me both.
When I made them their brooder I was thinking about making it two or three storeys....maybe with a balcony.
Guess they'll just have to make do with one for now.

Lol. If they are getting out of the brooder then the perches should be fine. Never had a chick fall off its perch.