New peachicks, I have questions!

[SJS66]

Well, I sprinkled some on the floor of the brooder when I cleaned it this morn w fresh food and water. They picked at it...then went off to eat. I'll do that every day, I don't have any worms just yet anyway. By the time I do they'll be properly primed, I imagine. Thanks for the input.

 

[Artistickatt]

My younger chicks are 3 weeks right now, and delight in catching the tiny moths that find the way to their brooder light. I think I saw one go for a large mosquito this morning, it was quite a show.

 

[KsKingBee]

June bugs too. They are so proud of their prize, running around playing keep away.

 

[SJS66]

Ok here is another question... peachick behavior. The brooder is out on my porch, I pass it all day coming and going. At night (sometimes the daytime too) when I leave they start peeping and running around like they are upset. They'll do that until they wear themselves out. If I go out there they stop, and stand there looking at me like "he's back..yah!" and they are nice and calm. They'll remain that way as long as I stand there and talk to them or open the door and hand feed them some crumbles in my hand. if I leave they go nuts again.

They are tame, they come right over and peck my fingers or stand there making quiet little peeps...they dont like being picked up, but being close they like.

Is this normal? Are they freaked out that they are out there alone or are they just under the impression I'm their mother or something? Will it traumatize them to be left to run around and peep until they get tired?


I told my girlfriend I'm ready to print a big picture of my face and stick it beside their brooder LOL.


I'm concerned that this is going to mess them up over time, or they'll hurt themselves.

I put a radio out there tonight playing classical music. they calmed down a little, then went back to running and cheeping. they stop now and then to stare at the radio. I dunno if thats a good idea or not.

 

[KsKingBee]

You are mommy, they want to be with mommy. If you are going to be outside for a while, let them come out and they will follow you around the yard. When you put them back they will still peep and carry on but that is normal behavior; that is how mommy finds them when they get lost.