Spoiled Chick?

[NC_ChickiePoo]

My chicks are only a week old and I do believe I have a couple who are already spoiled rotten I make sure they have feed, water, their heat plate is warm and toasty, brooder shavings are cleaned every day, yes - I've introduced some scrambled eggs 2x a day (and grit) and going to 1x starting today just for training them to get used to me and trust me - checked behinds and cleaned when needed. However, I've noticed the last day or so, I'll leave them be for a few hours to do some work - gotta pay for all this stuff - lol - and I'll hear what sounds like distressed cheeps. I go to them and check them all out, all is well. Two of them will hang out near the door of the brooder and squawk when I pick them up to check them over since they keep chirping. They will settle right down for about a minute in my hand and so I'll put them back in the brooder. As soon as I walk out the door - I'll hear the distressed chirping again. My legs are getting a work out since my brooder is upstairs. Is this normal and do I use the "ferber method" on the chicks? It is kinda like having human babies again.

 

[Tonyroo]

Make sure there getting enough heat. When there comfortable they rarely squawk.

 

[nuthatched]

Not normal, no.
They could be too cold or too hot, make sure everything is good for them and leave them alone.

 

[NC_ChickiePoo]

Make sure there getting enough heat. When there comfortable they rarely squawk.

Their heat plate appears to be comfortable and my son actually turned up the thermostat upstairs as he wanted to make sure its warm enough (he prefers cooler temps so this was his sacrifice It's about 75 degrees ambient in the rooms. They seem to enjoy being out and eating/drinking and then go under the brooder after they eat, drink and visit a bit. Maybe I'll try lowering it a bit on one side again - I had it that way but when they were hanging out more in the open, I thought they perhaps were ready to have it raised a teeny bit. It has "screw legs" not notches so I just twist them like 2 times to raise/lower it. I thank you for your insight. I'm new to all this and have read sooo much but until you're in the midst as they say. So thankful I found this group!

 

[NC_ChickiePoo]

Ok - I'm going to go lower their plate a little and see if that makes them more comfortable. And here I thought I was their favorite already

 

[Tonyroo]

I usually keep my brooder on one side at 101 degrees for a week. Also I only use a heat lamp and not the plate.

 

[NC_ChickiePoo]

I usually keep my brooder on one side at 101 degrees for a week. Also I only use a heat lamp and not the plate.

I just lowered the heat plate. I chose the heat plate (Brunsea) as I got it on sale (major score!) and after reading many stories about the lamps, I figured it would be best for my peace of mind (I'm terrified of fire after a house fire when I was little). I'm sure they'll will be fine but couldn't figure out why only 2 of them were acting like this. They seem healthy

 

[Tonyroo]

Use a digital temperature reader under the plate to test and track consistent heat output. I don't trust those plates to be honest.

A digital meat thermometer will work also. Just place it on the floor where the plate is at.

 

[NC_ChickiePoo]

Would putting a towel or something over the brooder help with warmth? I'm using a dog kennel for now. (This pic is from the first day I got them and they have bedding along with feeder and a small tree branch in there now.)

 

[Tonyroo]

It would help a little to trap the warmth. Make the cloth hangs over the top so the warmth can't escape so easily.