how much can you hold baby chicks?

[bigtime400]

I was wondering how much I sould let my girls hold the chicks? I know you should hold them so they get used to people but is there a limit?

They are usually pretty good at being gentlle. My one niece however I think is too young and she uses to much grip.

Anyone got any ideas on this?

 

[valdalefarm]

I don't think there is a "too much," per se. The two things I'd be aware of are, like you mentioned, being too rough with a chick, and keeping it out of the brooder for too long where it could get chilled (though holding and snuggling helps!).

 

[bigtime400]

yeah.... I had my daughters grab my finger so I could tell her about what pressures to grab the chicks with and told her if it was too hard. She seemed receptive.

Usually they are only out for a minute or so then we grab a diffrent one.

Do they ever shiver when cold or anthying like that? Is there a sign you can look for? I think i read somewhere that they gasp with their mouth open and try to get away when too hot.

 

[Katy]

I always had a rule when my own kids where little and now have the same ones with grandkids......they can pet the chicks on the top of the head with one finger or set on the floor and have a chick on their lap, but they can't hold them. Little ones have a tendency to hold too tight....especially when the chick starts struggling to get down.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
They should cheep loudly when too cold. If in the brooder they will pile one on top of the other -- actually this can lead to suffocating the ones on the bottom, in the extreme case. When too hot, yes, they will pant with open mouth -- they also hold their wings a little away from their body, as if airing out their "armpits."

 

[Nicole01]

I handle mine several times a day. They really like the attention. Before I pick them up, I give them some wet starter for a treat and wait until their done eating. This is what has worked best for us. I really don't pet them on the head or back. I will hold the birds in my hands or on my lap. They usually fall asleep, but it's mostly due to a full tummy.

 

[Happy Chooks]

My kids had no problems holding our chicks. I did require that they sit down though, in case one decided to try to fly away, it didn't have a hard drop to the floor. My kids love to let the chicks roost on their legs or their arms.

 

[bigtime400]

maybe I should start a new post asking but its kind of on topic.

Is there any fun games the kids can play with the chicks? Anything they like it particular? We noticed at least one likes to chase a string. You can get him running back and forth chaseing a string.

 

[jettgirl24]

I am very careful with my chicks and my boyfriend's kids - always keep a watchful eye - but I let them play with them as much as they want. Mostly I leave them in the brooder and let them pet the babies but don't let them pick them up. When we take them out I have the kids sit on the floor and hold their hands out not too far off the ground and I put the chicks in their hands. I don't let them grab them or pick them up themselves, especially the younger one (she's 4), because when they get excited they tend to squeeze too hard at that age. His older boy is 8 and I do let him pick them up sometimes but only when I'm right there to mediate.

They have a great time with the chicks and I think it's a really good opportunity to teach them the right way to treat animals but the thing I always keep in mind is that I am the baby chicks' mom and my primary objective is to look out for their safety. If anyone handles a chick too roughly or the kids get too excited the babies go away and we are done playing until they can behave properly. Sometimes it makes you the bad guy for a little while but it teaches them an important lesson and keeps the babies safe.

 

[candyshopper11]

i hold one for one for about 1 or 2 mins. then get a diffret
one.