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Is this seperation anxiety behavior normal imprinting or something else?

Madriverbantams

In the Brooder
Jan 26, 2023
11
19
26
I have five 3 week old Mosaic Easter Egger mixes that lose their minds with excitement when they see me, to the point of leaping and crashing repeatedly into the wire to get at me and trampling each other. When I open the door they all throw themselves at me at once peeping happily and sprinting around my arms and legs. They never settle down or stop moving, and if I move away they cry out. When I put them away and leave they peep at the top of their lungs for about half an hour, sometimes more.

I've raised dozens of other friendly chicks, and these new ones are like 300% more attached to me. These are the first I've hatched myself though. Is this what imprinting is?

I initially thought perhaps they were too hot in their incubator, but they have plenty of room away from it and when I sneak up on them and peek in they are snoozing comfortably near the lamp. But then one spots me and they all start screaming in excitement to get at me. It's hilarious but not something I'd love grown hens to do. Will they grow out of it?

Some action shots because they never stop moving
PXL_20230305_204529929_exported_432.jpg
PXL_20230305_204359861_exported_6162~2.jpg
 
I have five 3 week old Mosaic Easter Egger mixes that lose their minds with excitement when they see me, to the point of leaping and crashing repeatedly into the wire to get at me and trampling each other. When I open the door they all throw themselves at me at once peeping happily and sprinting around my arms and legs. They never settle down or stop moving, and if I move away they cry out. When I put them away and leave they peep at the top of their lungs for about half an hour, sometimes more.

I've raised dozens of other friendly chicks, and these new ones are like 300% more attached to me. These are the first I've hatched myself though. Is this what imprinting is?

I initially thought perhaps they were too hot in their incubator, but they have plenty of room away from it and when I sneak up on them and peek in they are snoozing comfortably near the lamp. But then one spots me and they all start screaming in excitement to get at me. It's hilarious but not something I'd love grown hens to do. Will they grow out of it?

Some action shots because they never stop moving
View attachment 3422756View attachment 3422757
Yup, you're the nearest thing they have to a mother. It's just one of the many problems with incubator hatched chicks.
Yes, they'll grow out of it.
 

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