Please help!! My chicks are freaking out and I have no idea why

[MyAvamini]

If you just put in the lamp today, and this is the first time they are acting like this, I wonder if the lamp could be causing the change in behavior?

From what you've said, it looks like the lamp and the rain are the only new things this day.

They are scared. Is there no hens to be around them? Myself I didn't put them out out til bout 3 months old. Have a light in there for them plenty bedding close the door make sure u have ventilation n water. Something has them riled maybe sensing a danger that u don't. Don't allow them to. E to stressed

 

[redinator]

Lol. This is probably it.

The gaps at a maximum are half an inch thick. I understand snakes could probably make that. But by my understanding, snakes are typically after eggs?

The coop is about 20ft wide by 40ft long. There's 17 pullets.

Nothing as of yet. They've just been introduced to their coop less than a week ago. Once I hit one week, i plan on letting them out and hour before sundown, 2 hours, 3... etc. They will be free range.

Fair enough. I'll look into some stuff/build some stuff for them to climb on.

I don't really think so. They're all acting weird. Not just a select group/individual. This is the first time they've responded this way. I check on them at LEAST twice a day, since the coop introduction.

Don't think so. They were acting like this before the lamp introduction.

That is not feasible, unfortunately.

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

 

[redinator]

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

If this is an option, leave it open so they can come and go when they want.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The gaps at a maximum are half an inch thick. I understand snakes could probably make that. But by my understanding, snakes are typically after eggs?

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

 

[redinator]

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

It's also entirely possible they've learned every time they make a ruckus he comes to check on them.

 

[swigginwhiskey]

They are scared. Is there no hens to be around them? Myself I didn't put them out out til bout 3 months old. Have a light in there for them plenty bedding close the door make sure u have ventilation n water. Something has them riled maybe sensing a danger that u don't. Don't allow them to. E to stressed

Nope, no hens. I've got one lone hen who frequents my yard to range, but she doesn't roost in my coop, nor do I know where she nests. I'm trying my best to make sure they have everything they need to not be stressed.

This is gonna sound contradictory, but do you have a something smaller they can huddle under that can be covered to muffle the noise?

Unfortunately I don't. At least, not right now at 12am... lol.

They are usually after eggs as opposed to full-grown hens. But I would say small chicks might also be on the menu, depending on the size of the snake.

Fair enough. I've checked every nook and cranny, nothing found. There's a hardware cloth around the perimeter as well. Imo, no way anything other than a snake is making it in. I've counted every time I check them too... all accounted for.

It's also entirely possible they've learned every time they make a ruckus he comes to check on them.

I don't think this is it. I can't hear them at all when I'm in my house. I just check on them first thing, and typically before bed. I've had these past 2 weeks off, so I've been attending to them more frequently as of late. When they were in their brooder, no fuss like this... ever!

 

[NatJ]

Don't think so. They were acting like this before the lamp introduction.

In that case I agree, it's probably not the lamp

 

[redinator]

Nope, no hens. I've got one lone hen who frequents my yard to range, but she doesn't roost in my coop, nor do I know where she nests. I'm trying my best to make sure they have everything they need to not be stressed.

Unfortunately I don't. At least, not right now at 12am... lol.

Fair enough. I've checked every nook and cranny, nothing found. There's a hardware cloth around the perimeter as well. Imo, no way anything other than a snake is making it in. I've counted every time I check them too... all accounted for.

I don't think this is it. I can't hear them at all when I'm in my house. I just check on them first thing, and typically before bed. I've had these past 2 weeks off, so I've been attending to them more frequently as of late. When they were in their brooder, no fuss like this... ever!

Well, let's think a chicken . . . chicks like to hide when they're scared . . . so what about a cardboard box with a blanket over it, or draping a blanket over the last few perches that they can hide behind. It doesn't have to be secure it just has to feel cozy. If they were wild with a flock they'd have shrubs/bushes to hide in/under.

 

[redinator]

Well, let's think a chicken . . . chicks like to hide when they're scared . . . so what about a cardboard box with a blanket over it, or draping a blanket over the last few perches that they can hide behind. It doesn't have to be secure it just has to feel cozy. If they were wild with a flock they'd have shrubs/bushes to hide in/under.

If you go with the blanket idea tie it to the perches so they don't tug at it and cause it to fall and freak them out more.