6 1/2 week old chicks noisy at sun-down

[mike48851]

For the past week, my 5 chickens have had quite a bit of out door time (it has been fairly warm and they are fully feathered). However, the past few nights they are extremely loud at bed-time. They go right in the coop when its just about dark out. Before I even close the door to the coop, they are just very loud; almost distressed. It seems to mainly be my two Rhode Island Red hens that are being so loud. I did pick one up tonight and she seemed to quiet down for a bit, until I put her back down. I did turn the heat lamp on tonight as well, just to see if that made a difference..

I should note that last night, the reds were trying to fly up to the ceiling of the coop. They kept looking up there (there was nothing up there at all). Is this normal? They seem perfectly fine all day until its night time. Then they are loud for 10-20 minutes or so.

Im just curious, it is behavior I've never seen from them. They are eating, drinking and definitely pooping!

Here is a little video I took of the sounds they're making:

I just thought of another question. I have had the heat lamp off for a few days now because they are fully feathered and were outside on a chilly day we had and they all seemed like they were enjoying themselves. The first night without it, they didn't want to go in the dark coop, so I put a little night light in there for them. A couple of them will lay under the night light. I know they're not cold lol...Just a habit I assume??

Sorry for the long post, I just keep thinking of new things as I go. Trying to explain it the best I can.

Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chicks come to think of a heat lamp as a substitute mother, so when you shut it off, especially at night they get stressed. I often slowly wean mine off by leaving it off for a few hours after dark before putting it back on. I do this for a few days to a week lengthening the time it's off before leaving it off for good. They will adjust. The night light can help, so use that for a while too. The dark is a scary thing for chickens because they can't see anything and are very vulnerable.

 

[mike48851]

Chicks come to think of a heat lamp as a substitute mother, so when you shut it off, especially at night they get stressed. I often slowly wean mine off by leaving it off for a few hours after dark before putting it back on. I do this for a few days to a week lengthening the time it's off before leaving it off for good. They will adjust. The night light can help, so use that for a while too. The dark is a scary thing for chickens because they can't see anything and are very vulnerable.

Awesome, once again, glad I joined this community.

Thank you!

 

[Malynda]

H! I have 10 wk Rhode Island Reds, 5 of them, and they are all noisy when the sun starts to go down and do the whole looking up thing until I bring them inside (we have to redo their outdoor coop). I still leave a night light on for them (just no heat lamp) since they will freak out if there is total darkness. My chicks made the same noises yours are in the video until they adjusted and one of them became a 'dominate' one of the group
What I had to do was raise the heat lamp up so that way the brooder became cooler at night and had it off during the day. Eventually I left the heat lamp off but kept a night light on during the night and that's where we are at now. They are still loud settling down for about 10-15 mins but then they go right to sleep. It took a while to adjust them but I just did it slow and they were fine with it. From what I am learning Rhodes are a vocal breed. I know my girls always have plenty to say! LOL Good luck with yours!!

 

[aart]

Here is a little video I took of the sounds they're making:

Those sound like typical 'bedtime stories' to me.
Flying up to ceiling might be the instinctual 'roost as high as possible'.
They'll learn.

 

[mike48851]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It all makes sense, It's supposed to get pretty chilly tonight, so I I turned the heat lamp on (probably don't have to, they appear fully feathered to me, but they seem to enjoy it, they're still young lol) Quiet as a mouse tonight when they went in.

 

[Willowspirit]

I have noticed that many wild birds become loud just at dark and then they gradually quiet.

 

[aart]

probably don't have to, they appear fully feathered to me, but they seem to enjoy it

No, they do not.....really better to leave it off, even if you feel chilly

 

[D-Bar-B]

I have 2 Rhode Island Reds that are about 17 months old. I got them at 9 months. They are the noisiest of my flock, especially at night. I like to think they're telling me "good night Momma". I've just added 7 chicks...a mixture of Wyandottes, Leghorns and Campines. I haven't figured out who's making all the night time noises, but my Rhode Island Reds might have some competition once they're all integrated in the run together!

 

[mike48851]

I have 2 Rhode Island Reds that are about 17 months old. I got them at 9 months. They are the noisiest of my flock, especially at night. I like to think they're telling me "good night Momma". I've just added 7 chicks...a mixture of Wyandottes, Leghorns and Campines. I haven't figured out who's making all the night time noises, but my Rhode Island Reds might have some competition once they're all integrated in the run together!

lol. They are definitely interesting! I just was curious because they had never made a ton of racket at night, until the last few nights. I heard leghorns are supposedly a pretty loud bird. Mine is probably the most quiet of my 2 RIR's & 2 Isa Browns. I guess when they grow up we will see!