Odd little Aquila - thoughts?

[miss_shickenchit]

Hi, I’ve searched for more on this but these hybrid Aquilas seem too new for much to be out there on them either on Google on here in threads. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I’m curious both from anyone with Aquilas OR with birds in their lineage (RIR, Australorps, White Rock) if you noted them staying small or taking a while to grow? I’m new to this but I have now been caring for 10 chicks - 8 different breeds/hybrids (Speckled Sussex, Sapphire Gem, Welsummer, Summerdell, Delaware, Swedish Flower, Calico Princess and Aquila). The different breeds and hybrids give me a lot to compare too, I think. The first 6 of that list are now 6-7 weeks old. They all grew about the same rate up until recently when the roos (SS and Welsummer) got a bit mightier (esp the Welsummer! he’s a chunk!). The CP hybrids are two weeks old and like the others, have grown about the same rate and pace. BUT - the Aquilas - these little ones are still TINY and have not grown all that much even as I’ve had them now over a week! They are perfectly fine and eating/drinking/sleeping/complaining/playing like the rest did at 1 week old. But they are at least half the size of the rest at that age. Feathering less too. The CP which are only a little over a week older than they are now look four weeks older.

Is this weird? Am I overthinking it? (I have learned to dutifully overthink everything “chicken” so surely I’m nailing it here.)

Anyway - these are all the cuties - any thoughts? I can’t imagine they are bantams - that’s a hard thing to get wrong as I’ve seen those and they are TINY. Do black chicks grow slower? I’ve read black feathering is slower…I have no idea though.

First photos are of the Delaware after picked up at the farm - about 1 week old - and then the original 6 chicks sleeping together each abt 1 week old, then more of the original 6 around 1-2 weeks old, the SS at four weeks old, and then the rest are of the Aquila at one week (also with me and 2 week old CPs in a photo - the CP are twice the size of the Aquilas!) The last is a photo of the Aquila, 1 week, next to the Sapphire Gem, 6 weeks. (I have no idea how many weeks old I am, but I doubt that’s relevant.)

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Your chicks are so cute! I have never heard of the Aquila breed, but judging from the breeds that make up that breed, I would assume that they grow at the same rate. Do you have all of the ages together in one pen? The only thing I could think of is that the older chicks are stealing the younger ones food. Black chicks don't grow any slower than other colors, either. They look healthy and happy, just small.

 

[miss_shickenchit]

Your chicks are so cute! I have never heard of the Aquila breed, but judging from the breeds that make up that breed, I would assume that they grow at the same rate. Do you have all of the ages together in one pen? The only thing I could think of is that the older chicks are stealing the younger ones food. Black chicks don't grow any slower than other colors, either. They look healthy and happy, just small.

Thank you for the response!

Currently the littles (1-2 weeks old) are in a separate cage from the bigs (6-7 weeks old). The cages are next to each other and I’ve put them together a few times to slowly continue to integrate them, but the littles have their own food and all. And oddly enough the little Aquilas are the piggies of the group! They are always chowing down. I put out more feed than they can finish just in case so no one is left out.

Thanks for the vote of confidence - they continue to be happy and healthy and playful - but still super small! (And one is barely feathering out!).

 

[miss_shickenchit]

Another funny thing about them: One has a white stripe of longer white down on its head. We call her Blondie.

 

[MeanCheek]

I have never head of 'Aquilas', but I must say, great job knowing that CPs and the like are hybrids! So may people confuse hybrids and crosses with real pure- breds.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

They're an interesting breed, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow! Where exactly did you get them? From a hatchery?

 

[Finnie]

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Another funny thing about them: One has a white stripe of longer white down on its head. We call her Blondie.

Maybe some chimerism going on with this one?

 

[miss_shickenchit]

Maybe some chimerism going on with this one?

This is exactly what I was wondering too! I actually went back to get this little one because out of two dozen or so it was the ONLY one like this! I’ll look it over more closely today to see if I see any other signs.

Not sure if it’s a good or bad thing (or neutral). I know if it’s in other animals it won’t make a difference much. It would be quite neat if it was both genders. (links to a site about chimerism in chickens)

The blond striped is “Blondie” the all black is “Joan Jett”.

 

[miss_shickenchit]

They're an interesting breed, and I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow! Where exactly did you get them? From a hatchery?

I got them at Coastal Supply. I have tried to resist the pull of little chicks to no avail.

 

[miss_shickenchit]

This is exactly what I was wondering too! I actually went back to get this little one because out of two dozen or so it was the ONLY one like this! I’ll look it over more closely today to see if I see any other signs.

Not sure if it’s a good or bad thing (or neutral). I know if it’s in other animals it won’t make a difference much. It would be quite neat if it was both genders. (links to a site about chimerism in chickens)

The blond striped is “Blondie” the all black is “Joan Jett”.

after closer inspection, i’m even more convinced! there’s under neck different feathering and check the toes: