Mom, I'm booooored. And it's sooooooo hot. (Update: so much happier!)

[Uzuri]

Yes my chicks are whiny, and the weather isn't cooperating

So first I thought I was going to have trouble keeping them warm enough. Ha! It was 83 today outside, which made it about 85 in the garage, and God-knows-what in the brooder. They weren't way too hot at least, but it's started the very beginnings of a picking problem (thankfully no blood or even redness, just a tiny bit of missing fuzz on one chick), that I'm going to have to keep a very close eye on.

I moved the lamp up much farther than I expected to at this point (they're not even a week old!). I also opened up the garage for a while this evening and turned the light out so that everything could cool off a bit. The babies seemed happy for the change, so long as there was enough light to see by. When they finally decided to cuddle up in the corner, I decided that it had cooled down enough and shut everything up and turned the lamp back on. They were right back on the feet and none the worse for wear.

Back to the boredom, though. I need something to entertain them and to keep their minds of picking at each other before this really takes hold. From what I've heard, the only real chicken entertainment is food! I have strawberries from our garden, and when we cut the greens off for preserves, there's a decent amount of red still attached that I could pick off with my fingernails. Are they too young for this? I've got to get them something soon, or they'll start running each others' undies up the flag pole.

 

[Cherokee Rose]

How old are they?

 

[Uzuri]

Only 7 days tomorrow.

 

[socks]

Newbie here but jumping right in

because I just read a post (about chick treats) where someone mentioned things to entertain them such as putting a tin pie plate (not sure if that was the aluminum foil type) out for them to peck on and an empty little box for them to explore, jump on and if you haven't put up a perch yet maybe it is not too early to start that.

Double check what I say though....don't want to steer anyone wrong just thought it sounded like a good idea since one of the cautions about treats that made sense was to not give them too many at the start as they will then not eat as much of the nutritionally balanced feed.

o.k. so hopefully you will get some more imput on that. Mine are only a few days old so I think I'll start with the toys.

 

[Cherokee Rose]

Toys make sense, because I think they're a little young for treats. Maybe just a little extra food, though, because after all they do grow rather quickly. You have to increase their intake to match.

 

[Uzuri]

They aren't emptying their feeder as it is, though, so they're not hungry.

Well... hungrier than usual, anyway

 

[Cherokee Rose]

Hmmmmmm........maybe one of our more experience members can help. Hope they'll see this.

 

[ranchhand]

Uhm, I am almost embarrassed to admit it- but only almost!

I put "bizzy balls" in with my chicks!

ALL night long I hear jingle, jingle, jingle. They are scared of them at first, next thing you know, it's a league match with a referee.

(In case you haven't seen them, Bizzy balls are hard plastic perforated balls with little bells inside, intended as cat toys.)

It's not too bad unless somebody scores a goal- then it gets pretty loud!

 

[louloubean]

my mom says give them a mirror.

mine liked playing with the thermometer.
and boxes,
and new litter,
and each others poop.
and baby chick grit, on lids.

you could pick them up too. then you get the fun of fuzzy butts for a little while before they double in size this week....

 

[cjeanean]

7 days is a little young for treats, although I think everyone here cheats here and there....there's nothing better than seeing baby chicks fighting over a grasshopper!!! On the other hand, you should try a red light bulb instead of a regular light, the red is darker and helps keep the chicks from pecking each other. I've never had this problem so I don't know what type of red bulb, but I have been reading this forum enough to know that changing the bulb is a good first step!!! You could put something shiny in there for them to peck at, chickens at ANY age love shiny stuff....just make sure it's not too small, cause you don't want them eating it. I've put a shiny spoon in there before, and they loved it. Of course, if you switch their light to red you might not need something shiny....

Oh, and I have a cool way to tell the roos from the hens at a VERY early age....

Put something shiny in there, and the ones that try to peck at it or steal it are GIRLS!!!

That wasn't very good.....