Solved

If they have the sun to guide them, they do this all on their own. They'll notice the sunlight fading and load their crops full in anticipation of nightfall. And then they tuck in and are quiet until morning.

Chicks aren't "afraid of the dark" but they dislike going to bed hungry and if they cannot find a safe sleep place, that would also generate fear.

When I look at the OP's setup, I see three chicks that aren't sure where to sleep. If there is no discernable warm spot, they may be cold as well as confused.
The Babies in the outside Brooder go through the same thing, every night I go out and I tuck them in, (put them in MHP), they will then quiet down and go to sleep. My husband will get tired of hearing them, (they are by the door), and tell me to tuck the kids in. Lol
I have 3 week olds outside, (2 nights now), and 1 week olds inside. I also have 2-5 weeks old out in coop who still wait for me to tell them night. Once I say “night night babies”, they quiet down for bed. As said before, YES, they are spoiled.
 
The Babies in the outside Brooder go through the same thing, every night I go out and I tuck them in, (put them in MHP), they will then quiet down and go to sleep. My husband will get tired of hearing them, (they are by the door), and tell me to tuck the kids in. Lol
I have 3 week olds outside, (2 nights now), and 1 week olds inside. I also have 2-5 weeks old out in coop who still wait for me to tell them night. Once I say “night night babies”, they quiet down for bed. As said before, YES, they are spoiled.
I think you're misinterpreting them warning each other that the sun is fading and they need to load up. They do communicate with each other at sundown. A lot. But it's not really the same sound as distress peeping. Or, it shouldn't be.
I also understand the desire for personification of pets. Whatever makes you happy. :thumbsup
 
I think you're misinterpreting them warning each other that the sun is fading and they need to load up. They do communicate with each other at sundown. A lot. But it's not really the same sound as distress peeping. Or, it shouldn't be.
I also understand the desire for personification of pets. Whatever makes you happy. :thumbsup
I wish you could be here to witness it yourself. I’m not misinterpreting :idunno. I have been saying hey babies or hi babies or night night babies since they were in the egg. Every night of their lives they have been hearing “night night babies.”. Even my adults will chirp and stuff til I tell them night, and they also quiet down. Every one of my silkies has been told night night babies since the first week of incubation. It’s a part of their normal life, and they have come to expect it. I’m not trying to be mean or anything :hugs, and I don’t know everything about chickens :caf, but I do know my babies and their routine. Just like I assume you know your babies little quirks. One standard rule doesn’t always apply to everyone. Back to the OP, your babies do look cold all cuddled up together.
 
You're right, they weren't warm enough because I didn't turn the heater on until right then but it does get warm enough in that room after a little while. They're perfectly happy chicks this morning.
 
You're right, they weren't warm enough because I didn't turn the heater on until right then but it does get warm enough in that room after a little while. They're perfectly happy chicks this morning.
Am I reading correctly you only turn the heat on at night? The photo shows very young chicks, what is the ambient temperature of the room with the heater on and with it off?
I am not a "must be 95 degree" or "no alternative heat" person at all....I brood outdoors in the coop in temps below freezing using a mama heat pad.....but I do have concerns regarding your arrangement providing sufficient warmth, especially with the reported reaction of your chick.
As I said previously, my first response was based on my mistaken understanding that you were using a brooder plate to provide appropriate warmth and still having a crybaby
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom