The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Chicks Getting ready to move out the pens.

You have some healthy-looking chicks, Tom... and a lot of females, too! I always give my chicks "outside time" when the temps are above 70, then bring them in at night. I'll do this until they're fully feathered and temp doesn't get too cool at night. Since you live in the north, you can probably introduce them to cooler weather a lot sooner than I can here in the south. All in all, they look really good for 5 weeks of age. They'll just get better looking from here. Congrats!!!

 

[enggass]

Quote: At about how many days will the tail feathers begin coming in? My ten chicks are about 6 days old now...

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

At about how many days will the tail feathers begin coming in? My ten chicks are about 6 days old now...

Usually around 2-3 weeks. At three weeks, you should see a difference in the length of tail and primary wing feathers. Females will have long tail and primaries.

 

[enggass]

Is that a mix in your video? Looks like most had fairly long tail feathers. A couple abut shorter, no?

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

Is that a mix in your video? Looks like most had fairly long tail feathers. A couple abut shorter, no?

It's a mix of males and females... all reds and all the same age. The short tailed chicks are males. The long tailed are females.

 

[enggass]

I've noticed that some of my 1 week olds have much lighter shoulder down than others. Does this indicate anything?

 

[cmom]

I've noticed that some of my 1 week olds have much lighter shoulder down than others. Does this indicate anything?

Wait until they start getting their feathers.

Most of the chicks here are RIR.

 

[Ur-ur-ur-urrr]

I've noticed that some of my 1 week olds have much lighter shoulder down than others. Does this indicate anything?

As a matter of fact, it's a very strong indicator of the chicks having down on their shoulders. (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Seriously, it's normal for down to be lighter or darker on different chicks.

 

[cmom]

I agree. It's just their down. When they get their feathers in you won't be able to tell who had the lighter colored down.

 

[cmom]

I do have some hatching eggs available. http://www.hilltop-farm.info/store

My chicks are due to hatch next week. I candled some and they are developing. I can't guarantee show quality but the potential is there.