My chicks are chirping loudly nonstop

[jimmyzhan]

Hi,

I have a batch of 6 chicks. They are 1 week old now.

For the 1st week I had them in a small brooder box with a tractor supply heat plate and pine shavings.

Today I moved them to a new brooder, converted from a dog crate which I used to house a cat litter box (e.g. kitty bathroom). I used the same heater setup.

They were fine for first hour. But now they are all chirping. They gathered near the gate (outside the heated area). Some of them seems agitated, jumping/flying, and trying to squeeze out the gate.

The temperature under the heat plate is good, they have food and water. I put the enclosure in our bathroom, and turning off the lights in the room reduced the chirping.

Anyone know why are they chirping? Could it be the kitty poop/pee residue smell and they got scared?

Thanks!
Jimmy

 

[Debheupel]

I would say they are probably scared because you changed the environment. Mine get scared when I turn their light off for only a moment. When I turn it back on they seem to quite again.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Do you have any photos of your setup?

 

[jimmyzhan]

Let me take a pic of the setup tonight.

They seem to be a bit calmer this morning.

Last night it was strange, because they were chirping really loud when the lights are on. They chirped less when lights are off.

 

[nuthatched]

Let me take a pic of the setup tonight.

They seem to be a bit calmer this morning.

Last night it was strange, because they were chirping really loud when the lights are on. They chirped less when lights are off.

Birds are typically quieter at night.

 

[jimmyzhan]

Birds are typically quieter at night.

Yes, that’s true. However, they were going quite crazy last night with the chirping and jumping/flying. I was just wondering if something is wrong.

It might just be the adjustment to a new enclosure because this morning they seem fine.