My 7 week old chicks are scared of the dark and in a tight ball

[ging3rhoffman]

I turned off their red light two nights ago because it has been so warm at night. Here they were sleeping on the floor in a tight ball scared. I didnt know it for two nights. I put a tiny night light in the outlet but they still couldnt seem to see. I picked each one up and placed them on the top roost and they didnt move.

What else can I do to make them feel more safe. It was so sad to see them so tight together. Some of the chicks that usually squack when I try to pet them didnt make a sound when I picked them up and put them on the roost. Any ideas of what I should be doing to help them? I have 13 7 week olds.

 

[gritsar]

Just make sure nobody is getting crushed and then let them be. They'll get over their fear of the dark and learn to roost before it gets dark.

 

[suenrob]

I thought they only did that when they were cold. Maybe just raise the red light a little instead of turning it off

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
No, even when they are not cold they will huddle together to sleep. They kind of freak out the first few days without their light, but they do get over it.

 

[cmom]

I leave a 11 watt red sign light bulb on 24/7. I figured, according to my electric bill, it costs me $3.00 a month to run. Like a night light.

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I took them out a night light and sat each on up on the roost and when I went back out this morning at 5 am they had not moved a feather. Still frozed in place where I sat them. I will go back out at 7am to sweet talk them about the night with no light.