One of my broodies is raising 5 store bought chicks (from Ideal). They were 4 weeks old on Monday. All very active and playful, good appetites and good droppings. They are out free ranging with mama all day. None are being picked on at all.
I bought these chicks at the feed store, marked as sexed heavy pullets. At first I thought they were JGs, until they started feathering in with gold lacing across the breast area. Now I'm pretty sure they are sex links.
One chick concerns me. It's appears to be smaller than the other 4, doesn't act sick at all and has a full crop at bedtime. It's not feathering in. They other chicks are kinda slow to feather too. It's very hot here right now, so nature is not dictating that they grow feathers quickly. This chick however has flight feathers and that's it. Nearly bald besides. Normally that would tell me that this is a cockerel, but these are black sex links and it is/was the same color as the others. It's cute in an ugly sort of way.
I've tried for pics, but mama sees the camera and takes them into hiding.
So, not a sex link? Metabolic disorder? Or just a slow grower?
I bought these chicks at the feed store, marked as sexed heavy pullets. At first I thought they were JGs, until they started feathering in with gold lacing across the breast area. Now I'm pretty sure they are sex links.
One chick concerns me. It's appears to be smaller than the other 4, doesn't act sick at all and has a full crop at bedtime. It's not feathering in. They other chicks are kinda slow to feather too. It's very hot here right now, so nature is not dictating that they grow feathers quickly. This chick however has flight feathers and that's it. Nearly bald besides. Normally that would tell me that this is a cockerel, but these are black sex links and it is/was the same color as the others. It's cute in an ugly sort of way.
I've tried for pics, but mama sees the camera and takes them into hiding.
So, not a sex link? Metabolic disorder? Or just a slow grower?