Maybe a dumb question - chicks pecking the bottom of their brooder

[momx4plus8]

The chicks just discovered they can move the shavings and find the bottom of the rubbermaid tote. They're just pecking away at the bottom. Is this OK? I'm going to add more shavings, but I think they're just going to scratch it away to get to the bottom. Thanks again.

 

[gryeyes]

Perfectly normal. After all, there's not a whole lot to do in a brooder bin, is there?

I have had chicks who peck on the sides of the brooder. If it doesn't sound like knocking at a door, it sounds like Morse Code. I imagine secret chick messages: "If anybody can hear this, please come rescue me - I'm bored!"

 

[LaynaDon95]

They will peck at anything. Mine like the peck at the darker specks in the plywood. (that my brooder is made of) Especially the first 3 days. It's kinda hilarious to watch.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

Ours do that also (only the bantams for us) I was worried that they might eat the dust at the bottom. We lost one bantam yesterday of an unknown reason and I was thinking maybe he ate some dust?...should I do something to stop them from doing that?...if so what do I need to do to stop them from doing it? I added more shavings it is about 3 inches deep and they still dig to the bottom.

 

[LaynaDon95]

Do you have bantams mixed with standard chicks, Ayslen? He might have gotten trampled. I don't think eating dust would kill them. Mine eat DE all the time (which is very very fine, like dust.) and they are healthy.

 

[momx4plus8]

I added more shavings, and sure enough they dug down to the bottom. It is funny to watch. Their very first afternoon here on Saturday, they played chick football. I wish I had a video of that one.

 

[LaynaDon95]

You should hide some bugs down in there for them to find! That is funny to watch! My house has been invaded by mosquito hawks, so I put them in the brooder. My week olds can already catch them before they have a chance to fly away.

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

Do you have bantams mixed with standard chicks, Ayslen? He might have gotten trampled. I don't think eating dust would kill them. Mine eat DE all the time (which is very very fine, like dust.) and they are healthy.

No we have another brooder for the standard size chicks...thanks though..Now I wont worry about it so much

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

is it okay for week olds to have bugs and stuff like that?

 

[cockadoodle]

The way I look at it is pretty simple - How do they survive in the wild? Do they eat bugs at such a young age? Certainly yes. However, they also have access to grit. So if it was me, I'd go very light on the bugs the first couple weeks, I don't see any harm with that.