Is it normal for babies to eat all night long?

[Enchanted1s]

We just got our babies - our first ever baby chickens. Is it normal for them to eat and drink all NIGHT? I thought I had read that after dark they go to sleep and do not eat? Somehow, our babies did not get the memo on this! Wether I leave a night light on or have it in total darkness, I can hear one of them (nanny cam) up eating once or twice every hour.

I am assuming this is because she is a baby and she will soon out grow it? Right?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I use a heat lamp to brood so mine will eat around the clock too. I find it to be an asset, they eat when they are hungry and sleep when they are tired. It never hurt a single one.

 

[Ebony H]

It should be ok, baby chicks usually will just eat when they are hungry and drink when they are thirsty, but if you notice anything odd besides the eating and drinking then maybe start to get a little worried I think you could take them to vet even. They should be fine though if you are still a little worried maybe even just get some advice from a breeder or vet on call

 

[azygous]

This is more common with meat birds since they're bred for very fast growth. What breed are these chicks?

Light plays a big role in whether chicks sleep at night or eat instead. Chicks brooded under a broody hen sleep all night since there is no light on her butt.

 

[Enchanted1s]

I think I figured out our problem - we will find out tonight! I think I was putting them to bed (lights out) too soon. They don't know it is winter and getting dark at 5pm. I was trying to mimic the natural outdoor lighting (time wise). I think they are just young babies and they want to stay up a little longer than the outdoor flock.

They seem like they are doing very well today. I finally got the little one down about 9pm last night (much better). Tonight, I am going to let them play until 7 or 8 before lights out.

To answer your question, they are in my grow room - so when it is lights out it is total darkness. I have been trying to reduce the light gradually starting at dusk. I have a Nanny Cam on them and I can hear them getting up and eating every hour or two.

They really are so darn cute! I got one Buff Orpington and two Cream Legbar.

 

[Smuvers Farm]

I think I figured out our problem - we will find out tonight! I think I was putting them to bed (lights out) too soon. They don't know it is winter and getting dark at 5pm. I was trying to mimic the natural outdoor lighting (time wise). I think they are just young babies and they want to stay up a little longer than the outdoor flock.

They seem like they are doing very well today. I finally got the little one down about 9pm last night (much better). Tonight, I am going to let them play until 7 or 8 before lights out.

To answer your question, they are in my grow room - so when it is lights out it is total darkness. I have been trying to reduce the light gradually starting at dusk. I have a Nanny Cam on them and I can hear them getting up and eating every hour or two.

They really are so darn cute! I got one Buff Orpington and two Cream Legbar.

Good observation! Yeah, we put ours to bed around 8-830, even though it gets dark WAY before then.

 

[Chickassan]

Mine ate all night, they had a light but they had a little covered cat bed they got in to get darkness and sleep. They still got up and snacked quite a bit.

 

[song of joy]

Is it "normal"? That's a good question. It's not normal in nature, as chicks raised by a hen spend the night sleeping because they are subject to natural day/night cycles. It's very typical for chicks that are raised in a brooder that provides some light at night. Personally, I prefer getting them used to natural day/night cycles as soon as possible if I have to raise them in a brooder.