Over the top?

[armedtodream]

So my chicks are about 3 weeks old now & the other day when I was dusting the chick room I put turned on the t.v. that was in there remembering there was a favorite video in it from when the kids were young. All the chicks turned toward the t.v. & stared mesmerized. I turned it off when I was leaving but they all moved toward the edge of the "brooder" (there are 12 of them so they are in a hard plastic kiddie pool with chicken wire up the sides) & watched the blank screen, turning their heads so I turned the t.v. back on just to see what would happen & again they were mesmerized by bugs bunny so I left it on. They didn't jump when I came in later like they usually do & just seemed more "chill". My boy suggested maybe they were just getting more used to people voices by hearing them or because they associated them with something interesting to them. We tried another video the next day, Sandlot, all live action & they still all stared & moved in to see This is the ONLY place I'd ever say that I let my chickens watch a video but do you think there is anything to the sounds making them more comfortable with us? Or do you think it's just that their attention is captivated instead of being bored? Maybe it's nothing but at least it's given us a kick. When my folks came by the other day they didn't believe us that the chicks would zone on the t.v. like kids but when they saw them "Well my word, would you look at that!" LOL At the very least, could this be bad for them? (T.V. is a good 6 ft away)

 

[Chickiegirls2]

I dont think it is bad but I do think is that they were curious to see where the voices were coming from and how the "big box" was making those noises and showing the people. Try bringing someone new to the chicks into the room... see if they are completely mesmorized by the new persons voice!!!!
Have fun!!!!

 

[sourland]

Be careful what they watch. Studies indicate that chickens which watch violent shows perpetrate acts of violence later in life. Remember "The Birds."

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Sure they could be mesmerized by the tv. All those pretty colors on the screen

When I kept koi in a tank inside, they would always swim to the side of the tank when I turned the tv on, and they would stay there until I turned it off. I remember a youtube video where a fish hatchery would let their "smart koi" watch tv......interesting. I say continue the experiment to see if they have a favorite video, or prefer cartoons to live action. You never know- this could be some serious ground breaking stuff

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

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[ranchhand]

Being the serious person that I usually am, I hate to admit this. Mine watch/listen to the Food Network a lot. The brooder room is one we rarely use, and I only tend them a few times a day, so it helps them get used to human voices and movements.

 

[Komaki]

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OMG! don't lettem watch "The birds". I'm going to try that right now.

 

[Celtic Chick]

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You do realize you could scar them for life if they ever have any chicken recipes on the Food Network, don't you?
I can't imagine anything worse than a grown hen with "issues" later on in life.
Think of all the hours and hours of therapy!

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Do you have any videos of sesame street?, they might like to see big bird

 

[armedtodream]

Wow you guys are hilarious I feel much better about letting them have some screen time I feel like I'm not as crazy to think it's made them a little more relaxed around me & a little more content . Thanks so much for the boost!
BTW: my son figures they now know how to dodge bullets as he's had them watching the Matrix with him