Unsecure chicken perches

[amateurkeeper]

Hello, I have posted about this before but need some more advice.

 

We have 4 chicks, all nearly 2 weeks old (I think one is slightly older) and they are worrying me a little bit - my first chicks, can you tell?

 

The thing is, unless they are asleep, they are constantly chirping! They are in a lovely big brooder(cardboard box!), with a scarf for warmth as well as a 60w desk lamp, newspaper and straw, and a thick blanket underneath the brooder as we have wooden floors. They aren't cold as they aren't shivering, and if anything stay away from the lamp (have tried moving it up and down - they stay away no matter how high/low it is!). Is it normal for chicks to be so vocal??

 

They are all Orpingtons, if that helps!

[Egluntyne]

Constant cheeping is usually a sign that they are cold. Can you adjust the lamp a little?

[amateurkeeper]

Thanks for the reply - they cheep no matter how low/high the lamp is. It's a 60w desk lamp and if it's low they keep away (too hot) and if it's too high they stay close (too cold) so we have it inbetween and they are happy with that I think - they run around all over the place. Trust me to get noisy ones!

[jellykelly]

Just as a tester - can you stick a hot water bottle (covered) in the bottom of the box. If they quieten down, it may be a sign that the desk lamp isn't working too well.

 

Pets at home have started selling reptiles recently - they may sell proper heat bulbs in there if need be.

[amateurkeeper]

Thanks JellyKelly - will give it a try.