When does the "awkward" stage end?

[SobbaChickens]

By my calculations my chicks should be a few days shy of 3 weeks old. I have 2 BRs, 2 black sex link, and 2 red sex link. They have started getting their normal feathers in and are looking quite scary lol How long does it take for this stage to end? Want to know mostly because I'd like to start getting them in the yard now that we're actually having decent weather. And do different breeds of chicks take longer than others?


Thanks
Katie

 

[sillycmoy]

Just depends on the chick. I have 3 week olds that have more feathers then my one of my 5 week old. And if you put them outside for a few hours in warm weather they will feather faster. Usually by 5-6 weeks they start to look more normal, it seems like 3-4 weeks are the ugly stage in most chicks. All my BR, and my Red Sex Link was fully feathered by 6 weeks.

I have four 3 week olds, four 5 week olds, and I have been putting them outside all day long for the last few days, its been about 70, but all of mine do have fully feathered wings, and almost completely feathered backs, the 5 week olds almost have their head feathers in too, except for the one, it has like no feathers, probably going to be a Roo with my luck. I put them out in the coop with food and water, and if they want to come out, then they do. Today the wind picked up, and I went out to get them, but they were all sound asleep in the coop, so I just left them since they were out of the wind, and it was still 71. So as long as its warm, and they aren't huddling together to stay warm, the will be fine outside for a few hours.

Just so you know, when you do bring them back in the house, they all will crash, and sleep like babies for hours. At least mine do after running around all day long. The first time I brought them all back in I panic, thinking they ate something they shouldn't have, because they slept for hours, and even if I walked over, no one even looked up at me. They were tired out babies.

 

[chirpingcricket]

Ditto.

 

[SobbaChickens]

Funny you should say that. Yesterday I put them out for just a little bit in a crate while I cleaned their brooder. It was their first time "in the open" so they weren't too thrilled. After I put them back I gave them their first treat of boiled egg and they ran around like crazy enjoying their clean home and yummy food. I went out a bit later and they were passed out

A few of them kinda acknowledged me but they barely got their heads up before they dropped back down

It freaked me out at first but I figured it was all the excitement. They have been a lot less spooked today.

I KNOW I should not humanize their behavior but tonight after doing my normal stand by the crate and talk to them when I was walking away one of my BRs (my loves) started chirping out very loudly until I started speaking again. I've never ever heard one of my BRs be so loud before. She hushed up as soon as I started speaking. Awww


Katie

 

[sillycmoy]

My 7 week BR is a love bug, she would rather be with me if she can. So funny.

 

[aggiemae]

In the 2012 chicks only the Maran had an ugly phase. In this 2013 batch ( of nine) one was gawkier and uglier than the next, Though this is by far the healthiest and most active batch of chicks we have ever had, at two-three weeks one had a naked neck, another had just one huge crazy feather coming out of each wing, and the Buff Orps where long legged and scrawny. Now at 8 weeks other that one of the SLW having blurry markings they are a nice looking batch of chicks. And best of all, except for one that could go either way, they are all hens.