They do have decent size for four weeks, and nicely feathered. The lone cockerel looks to be a little over a pound. You have managed them well.
I would wait before I did any marking. I track them to know, but withhold judgment until about 8wks. Then again at 12. I would suggest continuing to track them, know who is who, but fully evaluate them once they have finally molted into their adult feather and have "finished". Especially on your first batch, and you are getting a feel for them.
NHs were noted for their very fast feathering in their day, and should be now. These do, and is appropriate. Birds that feather in faster are converting less energy maintaining body temperature. Birds that do, can use a little extra protein early as to not distract too much from the rate they grow. A lot of protein goes into all of that feather.
Thanks Gjensen. I'll get them into the coop and run and wait to atart judging them until 8 weeks.
I'm planning on picking up a scale to weigh the chicks this coming week. I have a pretty good idea of weighting by hand with all of the fishing that I do and I'd put that cockerel right about 1.5lbs. The 3 others that I know are cockerels are just a tad lighter.
I guess I could have upped the protein for them, but I have been feeding them 18%-20% starter and taking them outside a couple days a week to eat bugs and grass. Give them some greens here and there and hard boiled egg yolks a few times. I guess I could throw some of my game bird starter in their feed bucket, but they seem to be doing good to me.
My goal for these are for exhibition and breeding for production. My daughter wants to get into exhibition, and I would like eggs and meat. So we plan on breeding, and hatching 50-100 chicks a year. Cull down to about 20 or so for winter, our egg layers and breeders.
Seems like only yesterday ours were that small.