[rooky]

HI

I'm new to  hen-keeping, and we brought home 4 chicks today (4 days old).
They settled quickly into the brooder and three of them seem very content (eating, drinking, and sleeping under the lamp).  The 4th is very noisy!  She seems perfectly happy when someone is near the brooder (seems to be eating and drinking well), but as soon as we walk away, she cheeps loudly - almost in distress.  She has managed to escape a couple of times (my husband is raising the sides as I type) - and then seems very happy to walk around the room, exploring.  If we don't give her attention, she cheeps persistently.    Do I need to be concerned that she needs something else, or do I simply have a spirited chick on my hands??
Would welcome any advice - thanks!

[Casey76]

How big/deep is your brooder?  Certainly at 4 days old, you will need a container/box with quite high sides to help contain the heat (the chicks will need 33°C at this age)

Peeping is usually a sign of discontent, however as she has friends, she should come to rely on them rather than you.  The best thing you can do (after making sure there is plenty of water, crumbs, heat) is walk away

The more you keep away from the brooder the quicker she will settle.  I know it is very tempting to watch the chicks all the time, but it can also be disturbing for them.

Good luck