Strange sound coming from chicks

[featheredroots]

I've been noticing a strange sound when I lean over the brooder box and assumed it was the sand in it shifting. But today I picked up one of the chicks, and realized that the sound was actually coming from it, so I picked up another one and could hear the same sound. Is it the grit moving through their gizzard, and if it is, is it normal to be able to hear it?

 

[lisascenic]

When I lean over my brooder, the chicks all freak out like I'm about to kill them. Count yourself lucky!

 

[featheredroots]

Feed them from your hand and talk to them a lot. Mine run right up to my hand every time it goes in the brooder now, because they know that they get some kind of treat, but they still balk at being picked up.

 

[lisascenic]

They just hate overhead movement, and I don't really blame them. They're hard-wired to fear predators.