My Chicks won't stop chirping

[chicks13]

My chicks who are two weeks old won't stop chirping. Two days ago they were quiet but all of a sudden they won't stop. I don't know if they are stressed or something is wrong or if they are just normal.

 

[LikeTurkeys]

Welcome to BYC.

What's the temperature in the brooder? Are they huddling together or staying far apart at the other end from the heat source? Fresh food and water?

 

[chickens really]

Maybe getting too warm? As they age they require less heat. Do they have a cold area in the Brooder to escape the heat? Fun things to do?

 

[aart]

My chicks who are two weeks old won't stop chirping. Two days ago they were quiet but all of a sudden they won't stop. I don't know if they are stressed or something is wrong or if they are just normal.

Welcome to BYC! @chicks13
Please post some pics of your brooder and heat source.

 

[chicks13]

It only appears to be one chick chirping and the only time they huddle up is during sleep.

 

[aart]

Have you checked the chirping chick for pasty butt?


Here's my notes on chick heat, hope something in there might help:
They need to be pretty warm(~85-90F on the brooder floor right under the lamp and 10-20 degrees cooler at the other end of brooder) for the first day or two, especially if they have been shipped, until they get to eating, drinking and moving around well. But after that it's best to keep them as cool as possible for optimal feather growth and quicker acclimation to outside temps. A lot of chick illnesses are attributed to too warm of a brooder. I do think it's a good idea to use a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temps, especially when new at brooding, later I still use it but more out of curiosity than need.

The best indicator of heat levels is to watch their behavior:
-If they are huddled/piled up right under the lamp and cheeping very loudly, they are too cold.
-If they are spread out on the absolute edges of the brooder as far from the lamp as possible, panting and/or cheeping very loudly, they are too hot.
-If they sleep around the edge of the lamp calmly just next to each other and spend time running all around the brooder they are juuuust right!

The lamp is best at one end of the brooder with food/water at the other cooler end of the brooder, so they can get away from the heat or be under it as needed. Wattage of 'heat' bulb depends on size of brooder and ambient temperature of room brooder is in. Regular incandescent bulbs can be used, you might not need a 'heat bulb'. If you do use a heat bulb make sure it's specifically for poultry, some heat bulbs for food have teflon coatings that can kill birds. You can get red colored incandescent bulbs at a reptile supply source. A dimmer extension cord is an excellent way to adjust the output of the bulb to change the heat without changing the height of the lamp.

 

[CyndieRauls]

It only appears to be one chick chirping and the only time they huddle up is during sleep.View attachment 2055881

I stinkin’ love your ramps, btw!

 

[Lumikko]

Here's my notes on chick heat, hope something in there might help:
They need to be pretty warm(~85-90F on the brooder floor right under the lamp and 10-20 degrees cooler at the other end of brooder) for the first day or two, especially if they have been shipped, until they get to eating, drinking and moving around well. But after that it's best to keep them as cool as possible for optimal feather growth and quicker acclimation to outside temps. A lot of chick illnesses are attributed to too warm of a brooder. I do think it's a good idea to use a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temps, especially when new at brooding, later I still use it but more out of curiosity than need.

Sorry to jump in on this thread but do you have a recommendation on brooder thermometers?

Thanks!

 

[aart]

Sorry to jump in on this thread but do you have a recommendation on brooder thermometers?

Thanks!

Just about any one, not that critical for accuracy..something easy to wash in case it gets pooped on.