Please help!! My chicks are freaking out and I have no idea why

[MyAvamini]

If you just put in the lamp today, and this is the first time they are acting like this, I wonder if the lamp could be causing the change in behavior?

From what you've said, it looks like the lamp and the rain are the only new things this day.

They are scared. Is there no hens to be around them? Myself I didn't put them out out til bout 3 months old. Have a light in there for them plenty bedding close the door make sure u have ventilation n water. Something has them riled maybe sensing a danger that u don't. Don't allow them to. E to stressed

 

[redinator]

Lol. This is probably it.

The gaps at a maximum are half an inch thick. I understand snakes could probably make that. But by my understanding, snakes are typically after eggs?

The coop is about 20ft wide by 40ft long. There's 17 pullets.

Nothing as of yet. They've just been introduced to their coop less than a week ago. Once I hit one week, i plan on letting them out and hour before sundown, 2 hours, 3... etc. They will be free range.

Fair enough. I'll look into some stuff/build some stuff for them to climb on.

I don't really think so. They're all acting weird. Not just a select group/individual. This is the first time they've responded this way. I check on them at LEAST twice a day, since the coop introduction.

Don't think so. They were acting like this before the lamp introduction.

That is not feasible, unfortunately.

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

 

[redinator]

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

If this is an option, leave it open so they can come and go when they want.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The gaps at a maximum are half an inch thick. I understand snakes could probably make that. But by my understanding, snakes are typically after eggs?

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

 

[redinator]

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

It's also entirely possible they've learned every time they make a ruckus he comes to check on them.

 

[swigginwhiskey]

They are scared. Is there no hens to be around them? Myself I didn't put them out out til bout 3 months old. Have a light in there for them plenty bedding close the door make sure u have ventilation n water. Something has them riled maybe sensing a danger that u don't. Don't allow them to. E to stressed

Nope, no hens. I've got one lone hen who frequents my yard to range, but she doesn't roost in my coop, nor do I know where she nests. I'm trying my best to make sure they have everything they need to not be stressed.

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

Unfortunately I don't. At least, not right now at 12am... lol.

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

Fair enough. I've checked every nook and cranny, nothing found. There's a hardware cloth around the perimeter as well. Imo, no way anything other than a snake is making it in. I've counted every time I check them too... all accounted for.

It's also entirely possible they've learned every time they make a ruckus he comes to check on them.

I don't think this is it. I can't hear them at all when I'm in my house. I just check on them first thing, and typically before bed. I've had these past 2 weeks off, so I've been attending to them more frequently as of late. When they were in their brooder, no fuss like this... ever!

 

[NatJ]

Don't think so. They were acting like this before the lamp introduction.

In that case I agree, it's probably not the lamp

 

[redinator]

Nope, no hens. I've got one lone hen who frequents my yard to range, but she doesn't roost in my coop, nor do I know where she nests. I'm trying my best to make sure they have everything they need to not be stressed.

Unfortunately I don't. At least, not right now at 12am... lol.

Fair enough. I've checked every nook and cranny, nothing found. There's a hardware cloth around the perimeter as well. Imo, no way anything other than a snake is making it in. I've counted every time I check them too... all accounted for.

I don't think this is it. I can't hear them at all when I'm in my house. I just check on them first thing, and typically before bed. I've had these past 2 weeks off, so I've been attending to them more frequently as of late. When they were in their brooder, no fuss like this... ever!

Well, let's think a chicken . . . chicks like to hide when they're scared . . . so what about a cardboard box with a blanket over it, or draping a blanket over the last few perches that they can hide behind. It doesn't have to be secure it just has to feel cozy. If they were wild with a flock they'd have shrubs/bushes to hide in/under.

 

[redinator]

Well, let's think a chicken . . . chicks like to hide when they're scared . . . so what about a cardboard box with a blanket over it, or draping a blanket over the last few perches that they can hide behind. It doesn't have to be secure it just has to feel cozy. If they were wild with a flock they'd have shrubs/bushes to hide in/under.

If you go with the blanket idea tie it to the perches so they don't tug at it and cause it to fall and freak them out more.

 

[tweeter_and_the_red_coop]

I see the perches in the day light picture, but it's still pretty vacant looking. Could one of the chicks (or several) be bullying the others? I had two chicks that would climb all over me whenever I went in the run because they were being bullied and wanted protection. Some of the chicks could be overstimulated by the noise and behave aggressively towards the others.

I know this is a few months later, but I am having the same situation and pretty sure its because one of my 10 week old ISA Brown pullets bullies the three others once in the coop at night. Its when all 4 are on the roost bar (just one height) and Im wondering if its because she wants the lower hierarchy pullets to go lower? Sometimes its really bad, she actually is mounting them like a cockerel would. Do you have any advice? Maybe install a lower roost bar? Im pretty sure they will all remain on the high one together tho. Its also possible she wants the spot closest to the wall for safety ... not sure.

The coop is 7 feet long x 4 wide x 4 feet tall so enough room. They have an 8 foot x8 foot x6 foot tall run attached to the coop. They have 4-5 small nightlights that they scream bloody murder if removed. They have an exhaust fan and an intake fan that blows over their heads so no drafts. There are two roosting bars at equal height but they never use the other one.

This particular pullet also acts like a cockerel - when I am sitting in the run, sometimes she will challenge me by trying to attack my hand and glaring at me, sneak behind me to bite my arms and legs, and makes the growl/whine almost constantly towards me. I hand raised them for 1 day old, and she was my most affectionate one until 3 weeks ago. She was always the bold one, now she's just seems angry all the time. Id be sure she was a cockerel if she wasn't a dark brown ISA. She also has a red comb and wattles that the others lack.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!