How old are they REALLY?

[LLRSandraMort]

We got black & red sex linked chicks in the mail. They arrived clueless about food and water, some still with umbilical cords (or whatever they're called on birds) and egg teeth, but others had some feathers on their wings already.

Are they really only three days old? Do feathers show up that early?

 

[Mvan42]

Where did u get them. When were they shipped?
How long did it take for you to get them after shipping.
Normally they ship the same day or next day after hstch. Chicks can survive for three days without food and water..

Some do have tiny feathers start after a few days. Small tips are pretty visible after a week..

Post pictures that may help..

 

[NatJ]

Yes, feathers do show up that early!
Chicks usually hatch with little tiny feathers in their wings already, and some of them grow quite fast.
It's fairly common for different chicks to grow their feathers at different speeds, so some may look fully feathered when others still look half-naked.

 

[CTblitzen]

Mine had just the tiniest feathers when they were little. Posting pictures would certainly help.

 

[LLRSandraMort]

We ordered them from Tractor Supply. They arrived on 5/21 and were in transit for 36 hours maybe? Definitely NOT more than 48 or less than 24.

Here's the picture from 5/21:

Today is 5/24 and they're starting to fall with style, or glide. Whatever you want to call it. They think they can fly, but so far it's only down.

Where did u get them. When were they shipped?
How long did it take for you to get them after shipping.
Normally they ship the same day or next day after hstch. Chicks can survive for three days without food and water..

Some do have tiny feathers start after a few days. Small tips are pretty visible after a week..

Post pictures that may help..

 

[NatJ]

Yes, chicks really do grow feathers that fast sometimes!

 

[LLRSandraMort]

Okay. Somebody needs to sit down with these birds and have a serious talk. Their wings are feathered out for the *MOST* part and they're starting to get tail feathers, but the rest is still downy fluff.... but one of them flew out of the brooder today and the rest look like they're close behind. At a week old??? I certainly didn't give them permission!!!

 

[NatJ]

They typically do grow wing feathers first--I assume it's so they can fly away from danger (or out of the brooder box.) The body feathers can take several more weeks.

As you've discovered, the brooder needs a lid, starting when they're still quite young

 

[rosemarythyme]

They typically do grow wing feathers first--I assume it's so they can fly away from danger (or out of the brooder box.) The body feathers can take several more weeks.

As you've discovered, the brooder needs a lid, starting when they're still quite young

x2. I just had a chick a few days shy of 2 weeks launch herself over a 2' fence and into the main run with the adults. Thankfully I heard her crying for help as she couldn't figure out how to repeat the flight back inside.