Overworrying about Chicks?

[Joonsgirl81]

Hello all. I'm very new to this and I'm wondering if anyone else who was inexperienced found themselves constantly worrying about their chicks? I have 9 that I've had less than a full week. Some of them are almost a week old and some are almost 2 weeks old. But like, I find myself checking on them literally all day long. I have them in my laundry room. I'm constantly worrying if they're okay; like are they warm enough, too warm, are they pecking each other too much? etc. I am constantly checking the brooder temperature and listening for their noises and trying to decipher if they're happy or distressed noises. My husband thinks I'm nuts. Sometimes I even hear what he calls "phantom cheeps" when they aren't even being noisy. I watch them a lot too. Like I'll go and sit with them and just hang out and watch what they're doing, so I get really stressed if one or more are pecking others too much or something. I admit I've googled myself to death too. My husband keeps telling me I'm overworrying, and that I need to just relax and let them do what they do. But I already love them so much and I don't want anything to happen to any of them. Have others experienced this, or is my anxiety just getting the better of me? I have children and I've raised puppies and kittens from very young ages, so I don't know why this scares me so much. I was both excited and nervous when we began this journey. I didn't just leap into it either. I did lots of researching and planning for months. I've always wanted chickens. I've spent time around my friends chickens and enjoyed it. Maybe I'll feel just better when they aren't bitty babies. Would it be better if I check on them less? I want to enjoy this experience like all my other chick moms.

 

[Iluveggers]

Worry, love, watching, joy, all are normal. I was a literal mother hen the first time too. Didn’t even want to leave to go to the grocery store! It’ll get easier! I hope you are enjoying watching them too…and not just worrying!

 

[nuthatched]

You need to just chill, they're chickens, not infants. Ready to go from hatch.

 

[Joonsgirl81]

Worry, love, watching, joy, all are normal. I was a literal mother hen the first time too. Didn’t even want to leave to go to the grocery store! It’ll get easier! I hope you are enjoying watching them too…and not just worrying!

I am. I love the cute little things they do, especially when I put my hand in with food and they start scratching around on my hand while they eat. Its just because I love them so much that I'm worrying. I did that too the other day when I had to leave to go shopping. I thought about them the whole time and was worried if they were ok.

 

[rosemarythyme]

First batch was stressful and I worried about heat and every little sound or weird poop or feather askew.

By second batch, it was a whole different ballgame. I took mine straight from the feed store and put them in an outdoor brooder and let them learn to be chickens from watching the adults.

They all turned out fine either way.

 

[Banana01]

Try smaller brood sizes in the future. It is less stressful.

 

[Joonsgirl81]

Try smaller brood sizes in the future. It is less stressful.

I wish I had done that. I originally planned on 4 to start and I ordered 4. Then on a trip to tractor supply the day before they were scheduled to be delivered we ended up coming home with 4 more, then of course the hatchery sent an extra. My husband is so chill, and he was like, eh it'll be fine. Our coop will fit 10-12 anyway. So here we are.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

First batch was stressful and I worried about heat and every little sound or weird poop or feather askew.

By second batch, it was a whole different ballgame. I took mine straight from the feed store and put them in an outdoor brooder and let them learn to be chickens from watching the adults.

They all turned out fine either way.

This. Its human nature to suffer anxiety over something so new. I like to call it ‘The firsts syndrome’ and it can apply to anything that represents a significant departure from the norm, ie. first child, new city, college, loss of significant others. The anxiety will wane as you gain experience and get past all of those first time stressors or milestones. and you learn adaptive/coping behaviors. good luck to you

 

[zenstarling]

so normal! first timer here… I too had the “phantom peeps” during the first week! it’s all so new and coming at you at once. the reality that these were little creatures totally reliant on my care and I had full responsibility to do right by them…. but also had no experience, was a great reminder for me of the bewildering experience of bringing home human babies the first time, and I had twins. I wasn’t even sure about the right way to hold a chick, what the peeps meant, and what was going wrong that I was of course not yet aware of.

the internet is awesome and also anxiety inducing, such is the modern ailment a lot of us suffer. byc is a great resource. learn a ton but also don’t overdo it! each week as you spend time with them and learn, you will feel more confident! as others said, I can see how the second time and onward would be a lot different! good luck to you and enjoy them!

 

[SourRoses]

I've raised lots of batches of chicks in the last 11 years... although I wouldn't describe myself as a worrier, someone else might. Because people are all different and that's ok.

Personally, I think maternal instincts and hormones come into play, for me at least.
My mother who's retired is often rather casual about the chicks until they do something cute. I'm the one springing up out of a deep sleep and stumbling barely awake to the brooder if I hear a noise. I'm the one scrubbing waterers and feeders.

Some chick batches are calmer than others. They have their own personalities and different breeds affect things too.
As well, the brooder set up plays a big role in how hands off you can be.

I believe a mental health professional would ask:
"How is your response impacting your life? Is it disturbing to you?"
What other people, even a spouse, think of your feelings doesn't matter nearly as much as what you think. Are you being true to your own motivations and needs, or has something gone a bit haywire?