Spitzhaubens

[SueT]

I feed my chicks fermented feed, and was using one of those chick feeders with top holes thru which they eat. I noticed when the feed got low, they would stick their heads in far enuf to bend their growing crests. So as not to break or bend the feathers, I put the feed in a little cat dish. I don't want them to become 'crest-fallen' ....

 

[Faraday40]

 

[SueT]

Four weeks old now. They are getting to be quite a handful...

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[SueT]

5 weeks....I'm waiting for the move to coop till next week's warm up.

 

[Faraday40]

Wow! Your spitzes really like to pose!

My littles didn't feel photogenic today.

 

[SueT]

Your spitzes really like to pose!

Yours look good! Mirror images! Nice pic! Did you hatch these?
I set up a neutral background in their play area and in front of it put in things they like to stand on. Eventually someone gets up there and holds still for a moment..... so it's a chance thing.

 

[SueT]

Tomorrow I move the 5 1/2 week olds to the coop, we have a nice warm up for the forecast.
@Faraday40 , I remember you said the cockerels would show red wattles at 6 weeks. I realize mine aren't quite there yet but none have any wattles at all yet. No way I ended w 5 pullets.
This is Fritzi, the largest, friendliest .... zero wattles. Well, we shall see.

 

[Faraday40]

Let's hope!




Yes Here are 2 diff males at 6wks. Barely noticeable - but pink/red & slightly dropping if you can get a good look from below beak

and here's the sister / female hatchmate

Here are the same boys (in same order) about 9 days earlier.

We kept the 2nd one (Drumsticks) for a while. I really liked him, but since we weren't planning on breeding spitzes, we sold him.

 

[SueT]

Let's hope!




Yes Here are 2 diff males at 6wks. Barely noticeable - but pink/red & slightly dropping if you can get a good look from below beak
View attachment 1295672 View attachment 1295673



and here's the sister / female hatchmate
View attachment 1295674







Here are the same boys (in same order) about 9 days earlier.
View attachment 1295676View attachment 1295675


We kept the 2nd one (Drumsticks) for a while. I really liked him, but since we weren't planning on breeding spitzes, we sold him.
View attachment 1295678 View attachment 1295679 View attachment 1295680 View attachment 1295681 View attachment 1295682 View attachment 1295683

Thank you! I watched mine closely, and when they stretch up to drink from the nipple waterer, I can see pink wattles on some, that disappear into the feathers when they go back to normal position. SO IT'S COMING.....in a week I'll report back.....

 

[Faraday40]

Yes, I know EXACTLY what you're talking about..... disappearing wattles & flushed faces from heat or excitement. The period from 5-7 weeks is crazy. I was seeing all kinds of male traits in all the chicks. Six weeks was the 1st time I could actually "guess" but it took a few weeks after that until I felt justified about my guesses.