Party hardy chicks...

[brennamae]

Are my new chicks from another hemisphere? Have jet-lag? They sleep all day and are up all night! This wouldn't be such a bother but we keep them in our room with us at night ... it is the warmest spot in the house and they are just now reaching 2 1/2 weeks old. We might just end up moving them to another part of the house (and having to heat that room - yish!) because their late night party antics are starting to prevent me from sleeping!

Is this typical?

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

They shouldn't be sleeping all day long. It is normal for them to take naps throughout the day at that age, but they should be up walking around, scratching the bedding during the day too.

You should move them into a seperate room then your bedroom. It's not healthy for you to breathe in the dust, and the older they get the more dust they will create. As long as they have a heat lamp they shouldn't be too cold. Lower the heat lamp if they are too cold, and give them lots of bedding to snuggle in.

 

[brennamae]

good point on the whole air thing - didn't consider that! our room is pretty huge so it hasn't been an issue.
they don't sleep all day, but it sure feels like that!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

good point on the whole air thing - didn't consider that! our room is pretty huge so it hasn't been an issue.
they don't sleep all day, but it sure feels like that!

Okay, I just thought I would throw it out there. As long as they are eating, drinking, walking and scratching the bedding etc. at some point during the day, I wouldn't be too worried about them.

 

[LilBizzy]

Our babies seemed to do that also- every time I checked on them during the day,, they were napping. But really it would be a 3 minute nap, then up and running. And they had parties going all night long. They would be peeping so loud, like they were distressed, which got me adjusting th heat lamp, and thnking they were hungry, or too cold, or too warm.. No, the reality was they were just crazy. And tried their best to drive me there with them- and they were in another room with the door shut.
So, is it "normal"? LOL.. no But typical, in my eperiences, yes.
I have some 6 day olds in the coop outside right now , it's almost midnight and they are playing loud music, dancing and singing. I think there is a poker game going on, as well as a game of tag. As long as they don't invite the neighbors, or disturb the old hens, I think it'll be fine.

For yours, you might try putting them in a different room- it could be them hearing you that is keeping them awake. If you have a heat lamp on them, a red light is more calming than a white light to them. If you do not have the heat lamp, a little nightlight might help keep them calmer at night ( Mine always seemed to like it better when it wasnt pitch dark)