I'm a Mummy! Now I need help!

[glamglyn]

I hatched 4 chicks on Tuesday by my broody hen - it's so exciting!

How quickly will my chicks grow - it already looks like little feathers are starting to grow. At what point do they lose their down and get feathers, and when will they look like proper chickens?

Sorry for the silly questions but I'm a newie!!

Thanks everyone.

 

[sumi]

Congrats on your hatch! It is exiting isn't it? I love letting my broody hens hatch chicks for me.

The chicks will grow very, very fast! They will stay cute and fluffy for the first 2 weeks and then the wing feathers will grow and then the cute little tail "feathers" and then the shoulders and then the chest... By the time they are 6 weeks old they will be nearly fully feathered and in-between look like nothing on earth as they lose their down and grow "proper" feathers. Some people call it the ugly stage. By the time they are 4 months old they should be fully grown and by the time they are 5 months old the pullets will start getting ready to lay their first eggs.

So enjoy!

 

[glamglyn]

That's fantastic - thank you so much! I can't believe how quickly they're going to grow.

I'm so pleased we let her hatch them - she is so protective.

I'll keep you posted!