THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL ME SOMETHING AND I DONT GET IT

[Lilla]

Is the crying constant, even when they're together with no other view of you?

My daughters like to handle the chicks too, but even picking one up to 'hand train' it would cause a bit of panic in the chick being picked up. The chicks at a young age, more than anything else, just wanted to have constant line of sight with each other. When we let them free range in the yard, if one wanders too far away, it would panic and call out until it literally got back to the group and touched every member of the flock.

There's nothing wrong with spending time with your chicks at all, but they may be associating your presence with being picked off from the group - and that could distress them a bit.

Best bet if you're trying to tame them is to place treats in your hand or on your legs and let the lot of them come to you as they please. As they get older and more independent, they don't need to see each other as often and will start to tolerate being singled out for attention a bit more.

Hi,
I make sure to sit on the grown with all of them and let them climb and sleep on me but thank you that was a very help full tip to getting them to be more comfortable with me.

 

[PDXJULES]

Hi,
I'm a teenager (16) raising 4 chicks. I have a Easter Egger, a Golden sex link, a Australorp and a Salmon Faverolle. I got 3 from the same place and time. I got the salmon faverolle a week later somewhere else (that might be important). In September I lose my last 3 chickens to raccoons so the circle of chicken life isn't new to me.

The problem
My chicks for the most part never stop yelling as if something is very wrong. They have clean water, food, there box is 2.5 x 3.2, I spend time with each one every day , access to heating lame and shade. Plus I give them some meal warms and fruit every day. It dose seems like they pick on the faverolle a little more then the others but its not that bad. I feel like everything should be fine and they should only be giving me happy soft cheeps. I'm siting next to them as I type this and one is yelling at me. More like she is sad or wants help. The others aren't even messing with her PLUS SHES FALLING ASLEEP DOING IT?!? THEY ARE CUTE AND ALL BUT THAT REALLY RUFFLES MY FEATHERS! They all do this at some point. I don't know whats wrong and I don't know what I can do to help. If you could help me you'd be a big help to my sanity. I love all animals and its hard to watch them be upset.

Thank you for your time,
Lilla H-R

Do you have a Temperature gague in the Brooder at their level? Remember, it may seem warm to us, but even a few degrees off 95 the first week and they want to crawl back under Mama, so one is likely to sound the alarm. I had one cheep and cry as she fell asleep her first couple days, too. Reducing activity in their area and quieting down the Brooder by singing soft slow Lullabyes helps mine to drift off to sleep. Warm water instead of cold can help prevent chills too. Hang in there!

 

[SE WA Guy]

Hi,
I make sure to sit on the grown with all of them and let them climb and sleep on me but thank you that was a very help full tip to getting them to be more comfortable with me.

You're very welcome! All I can say is that the patience will pay off. When ours were 2-3 weeks old, they only wanted to be in the group, nothing more. Now, at around 8-9 weeks, it's not nearly such an issue. They'll start to become more and more independent.

Some in our group just think of us humans as the food delivery service, and they want nothing more than that to do with us. Others in the group will wait by the door in the run to come out and follow us around as we dig in the garden or set the water on the lawn. We didn't do anything different to the chickens that don't like us as much, but we respect their space. That just means more treats for the chickens that follow us around like little lap dogs!

 

[Lilla]

Could you post a picture of your setup?

hi,
I don't think I can post another pitcher. my computer is freaking out.

 

[LaFleche]

Ok. Maybe you can describe the brooder they are kept in, how big, what kind of bedding, heating lamp or heating pad etc. etc.

 

[Lilla]

Ok. Maybe you can describe the brooder they are kept in, how big, what kind of bedding, heating lamp or heating pad etc. etc.

They live in a cardboard box that is 2.5 by 3.2 feet. there beding wood pelts but ill be changing it to something else because i don't like it. 1/3 of the box is their food and water. i put their 1 gal. plastic waterier in a box that they can easily jump over. i was tired of them getting stuff in it. the rest is beding. the light is on the opiate side as the food and water.

sorry that took so long. i'm dyslexic

 

[Ruby Rogue]

I think you're doing a great job taking care of your chicks. Maybe they're just a spoiled bunch.

They don't sound desperately ill or have any reason to complain. If your temperature is right for their age, they are provided with clean water and feed, they should be happy in the box.

I'm not an expert, there could be something wrong for sure so keep your eye on them and do some research.

Do they stop cheeping when you let them out of the box?

 

[Lilla]

I think you're doing a great job taking care of your chicks. Maybe they're just a spoiled bunch.

They don't sound desperately ill or have any reason to complain. If your temperature is right for their age, they are provided with clean water and feed, they should be happy in the box.

I'm not an expert, there could be something wrong for sure so keep your eye on them and do some research.

Do they stop cheeping when you let them out of the box?

they never stop and i can hear them from anywhere in the house

 

[LaFleche]

They live in a cardboard box that is 2.5 by 3.2 feet. there beding wood pelts but ill be changing it to something else because i don't like it.

Yes, you are right as these wood pelts are much too rough for their little feet.

1/3 of the box is their food and water. i put their 1 gal. plastic waterier in a box that they can easily jump over. i was tired of them getting stuff in it. the rest is beding. the light is on the opiate side as the food and water. ...

I do not think that this water setup works for the little ones, you might rather want to put the water dispenser on top of a brick or wooden board. Anyway the water must be changed at leat twice a day. Maybe thirst is the reason why they are constantly peeping.

What temperature do they have in the box? Do you have a thermometer inside to make sure they are not too cold or overheated?

 

[Lilla]

Yes, you are right as these wood pelts are much too rough for their little feet.



I do not think that this water setup works for the little ones, you might rather want to put the water dispenser on top of a brick or wooden board. Anyway the water must be changed at leat twice a day. Maybe thirst is the reason why they are constantly peeping.

What temperature do they have in the box? Do you have a thermometer inside to make sure they are not too cold or overheated?

oh no, their water is in a very sort ( 0.7 inch) cardboard box. they love sleeping on the box. so no worry there. i didn't know i should change their water that often. i think i change it every week. oops. we had a thermometer and then it broke. my car is in the shop for another week or so but ill get one went i can.

i think now i have the tools to figure this out. thank you for your help.