In reverse at high speed - odd chick behavior

[Rhiannon_In_Nature]

I recently introduced the sand bath to my two week old chicks. They love it, of course. But noticed some odd behavior with it.

Several times I have watched chicks that have just finished a bath exit the sand and proceed across the brooder backwards as fast as they could go. What in the world?! I didn't see anything wrong, like a foot caught over a feather or anything.

Has anyone else seen chicks do this before?

edited for spelling

 

[le_bwah]

I recently introduced the sand bath to my two week old chicks. They love it, of course. But noticed some odd behavior with it.

Several times I have watched chicks that have just finished a bath exit the sand and proceed across the brooder backwards as fast as they could go. What in the world?! I didn't see anything wrong, like a foot caught over a feather or anything.

Has anyone else seen chicks do this before?

edited for spelling

No, but I've heard of it happening to others. Someone who's seen more hatches will have to tell you what it means.

My instinct says if their crops are emptying, their droppings are a good color/consistency, and none of them are acting "droopy" or neurologically damaged, there's not much that needs doing. Can't hurt to add some vitamins to their water, at least.

 

[Rhiannon_In_Nature]

Well, after seeing many of my chicks do this, from two different batches, I just think the sand in their feathers feels weird at first. They all stopped doing it after the first few baths.