feather growth and age?

[Kanga77510]

Is there a way to determine a chick's age based on feather growth? We bought the babies from the feed store and didn't know their age. They've been living with us for almost two weeks. Wing feathers are coming in nice and dark. I think two are getting darker feathers on their breasts. They still have fuzzy baby feathers on their backs, or between the wings. Any idea on age? edit to add: they can each fly a few feet up, and down. I'd guess they're about a pound in weight, feels like a small dumb bell when picking them up.

These are babies earlier in the week.

 

[HEChicken]

Hmmm....I would have guessed between 1-2 weeks old based on wing feathers but then saw that you've had them two weeks already. I'd say they can't be much older than two weeks - must have been new hatchlings when you got them.

 

[Preservation Acres]

Yeah, I agree. Maaaaaaaaaaybe 3 weeks, but definitely not older than that.

 

[silkiechicken]

Yeah, you must have gotten them as day olds. Feathering says 2-3 weeks old. And I bet if you put them in a scale, they will be something like 4-6 ounces.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I agree, definitely not yet 3 weeks.

 

[solarquail]

possibly a dumb question but what breed are they?

 

[silkiechicken]

Look like hatchery RIR's to me or production reds (basically a hatchery RIR).