Shavings too exciting? Chicks can't settle down!

[CritterHill]

Well, the chicks are 8 days old, so I removed the paper towels today and they are having a party!

They are usually asleep by this time of night, but they are scratching and peeping and going nuts! Even though I pulled the towels out HOURS ago.

I hope they tire themselves out soon.

 

[zatsdeb]

are you using pine shavings? cedar is toxic and can kill them and make them excited and run around..
otherwise they are just having fun, with new stuff to pick at!

 

[CritterHill]

Yep, yep says "quality pine bedding" right on the bag!

I turned out all the lights (except their heat lamp), that seemed to do the trick.

 

[zatsdeb]

I like to give them grass clippings, they love that too! They run around and one will get one piece of grass... even if there is a pile, all the chicks will chase that one chick with the blade of grass! They are so funny!

 

[55885100]

you now what you should try that my chicks realy like are pine neetls

 

[BearSwampChick]

I've been doing a modified deep litter method for my brooder, and at 2 weeks I changed out all the old shavings for all new. OMG, it was like a chick bathing frenzy on drugs! I had to keep the water and food out of the brooder for about 30 minutes because they were throwing the fresh shavings everywhere. They were in chickie heaven and wore themselves out! It was sooo much fun to watch!

 

[pookiethebear]

Quote:
We did that with a maggot and our week old RIRs. Oh my gosh what a hoot they were. DH dropped in 2 maggots and they were clueless about them, until they warmed up from the light and started wiggling around. BAM! One of the girls pounced on it and started running around the brooder "I got one, I got one!!!" They others chased after her and started a tug-o-war. They had some serious fun with those 2 maggots. When we move then to the basement to a bigger pen we will do it again and toss in a few maggots for them to play with.

 

[gumpsgirl]

These little peepers can be so funny! Did they ever settle down last night?!?!

 

[CritterHill]

Quote:
Eventually! They are still sleeping now though to make up for it!