How old are these babies?

[ninafe]

We thought we got silkies , we got polish instead.

I had to google what polish chicken look like and they did not disappoint

 

[Coops Dad]

I have several ISA Browns, 6 RIRs and two New Hampshires, all pretty similar hens as far as I can see except the RIRs do have the black wingtips and black flag in the tail feathers. The RIRs are the FRIENDLIEST chickens I've ever had, almost happier to see me than my dog or wife are. Pic of one on my shoulder when she was just a young nuggie. This particular one still likes being picked up and scratched under her wings. She's full sized now and almost trips me when she runs back and forth in front of me, hoping to be picked up, when I'm walking in the run.

The ISA Browns are happiest when they're out in our field; they have a prey drive that rivals our turkeys. They join the turkeys in their trips afield and end up just ahead of the turkey's skirmish line, hoping for grasshoppers or field mice to be spooked by the turkeys.

The New Hampshires are too similar to the RIRs for me to readily tell them apart except the RIRs seem to be a darker color and the comb seems a little smaller than the NHs.

I'm looking for an RIR rooster from a breeder who raises a heritage line. I'm near Waco, TX, if anyone knows of someone.

 

[ninafe]

I have several ISA Browns, 6 RIRs and two New Hampshires, all pretty similar hens as far as I can see except the RIRs do have the black wingtips and black flag in the tail feathers. The RIRs are the FRIENDLIEST chickens I've ever had, almost happier to see me than my dog or wife are. Pic of one on my shoulder when she was just a young nuggie. This particular one still likes being picked up and scratched under her wings. She's full sized now and almost trips me when she runs back and forth in front of me, hoping to be picked up, when I'm walking in the run.

The ISA Browns are happiest when they're out in our field; they have a prey drive that rivals our turkeys. They join the turkeys in their trips afield and end up just ahead of the turkey's skirmish line, hoping for grasshoppers or field mice to be spooked by the turkeys.

The New Hampshires are too similar to the RIRs for me to readily tell them apart except the RIRs seem to be a darker color and the comb seems a little smaller than the NHs.

I'm looking for an RIR rooster from a breeder who raises a heritage line. I'm near Waco, TX, if anyone knows of someone.

So cute! I cant wait for mine to grow up and develop their own personalities. So far they get along great with our cats

 

[ninafe]

Any suggestions on how I can teach my chick to use the perch? I put this one in their brooder but it's been ignored for days now. I tried to put a few on it and they just immediately jumped off. Wanted to give it a few more tries before returning...

 

[NatJ]

Any suggestions on how I can teach my chick to use the perch? I put this one in their brooder but it's been ignored for days now. I tried to put a few on it and they just immediately jumped off. Wanted to give it a few more tries before returning...

In my experience, chicks go through a stage when they sit on everything, as they're learning to use their wings. They will sit on anything available: the waterer, the feeder, the edge of the brooder, and so forth.

Of course I cannot guarantee what yours will do, but you could just leave the perch in there and see. Or you could return it, and offer them something cheap like an empty kleenex box (throw it away if it gets dirty, but no big deal whether they use it or not.)

 

[ninafe]

In my experience, chicks go through a stage when they sit on everything, as they're learning to use their wings. They will sit on anything available: the waterer, the feeder, the edge of the brooder, and so forth.

Of course I cannot guarantee what yours will do, but you could just leave the perch in there and see. Or you could return it, and offer them something cheap like an empty kleenex box (throw it away if it gets dirty, but no big deal whether they use it or not.)

Makes sense! I currently do have a small box in there next to the perch and they seem to be pretty interested in the box. But the box is a lot higher than the perch so maybe thats why!

 

[NatJ]

Makes sense! I currently do have a small box in there next to the perch and they seem to be pretty interested in the box. But the box is a lot higher than the perch so maybe thats why!

Yes, that might be it. The highest available place is usually the favorite!

 

[ninafe]

Got another question… tonight I suddenly noticed that for one of the chicks the colors of her legs are different. One is darker. Is this normal? They are 4 week old.

 

[ninafe]

The chicks are almost 6 week old! Do they still all look like pullets??

 

[DaisyBuff]

They are not any breed on that list.

The color is wrong for all of them:
RIR-- red with black feathers, red chicks (no white)
Leghorn-- usually yellow chick/white feathers
Ancona-- black & white feathers, black & yellow down
Golden Laced Wyandotte-- gold and black feathers, chicks black with some brown/yellow

I agree with @pipdzipdnreadytogo that you have red sexlinks (which can be sold under many different names, but all grow up to be similar to each other.) They can be nice chickens, but they are not Rhode Island Reds (although they often have a RIR father.)

Rhode Island Reds grow up to be mostly dark red, with a few black feathers in their wings and tail, and no white anywhere. Your chicks have white where RIR would have black.

I know I'm a bit late in the convo, but what is above is right. I think you have some ISA browns instead of Rhode Islands. I have received some chicks TSC sold me and they "said" they were Rhode Islands. I wanted Rhode Islands. They Grew to be ISA browns. They looked red and white just like yours, as chicks. My inexperienced self 4 years ago just thought the white was only temporary and the chicks would loose it and gain their true red feathers. I was wrong, then I learned they were ISA browns. As soon as I realised that, I genomes them and got some real RIR's from my local feed store that is not TSC. They grew to be great hens. I still have them today. Like said above, that I replied to,Is very true. Mine are a dark red, with some black feathers around the tail and tips of their wings. This is just my experience, but RIR or ISA they both are pretty Great breeds. I just prefer the RIR. But back to the original question, I'd say between 1-2 weeks.