Chicks at 4 weeks

[kirsty b]

Don't worry about it

[kirsty b]

Have got one definitely sexed as a cockerel. Pic 4 from last set of pics.
Mum and babies settling down for the night while I was there. This little devil came in, jumped on her back and tried to tread her (is that the right phrase?)

Have noticed its the most dominant chick generally. Feathers are completely black, and have a green/purple sheen in the right light. May have to try to find a home for this one, cos he may end up too handsome to go in a pot. We'll see...........

Also, little pale chick, is starting to get feathers down its legs - may help narrow it down when trying to figure out what breed(s) it might be. The other 9 all have Maran markings.

[frias]

I've read this through 3 times to see if I missed something. Did you say a 4/5 week old chick was treading his mum?

[kirsty b]

Yup!! He grabbed the back of her head with his beak and did it! (Hard to describe really) Was gobsmacked at first then just started laughing!!
Have seen grown bird doing it, but that was a first!!

Found a vid on youtube. This is what he tried to do, but as he's only a thrid the size of his mum, I wasn't too worried

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLEZx...eature=related

[MaureenHall]

That made me giggle I remember my mum once asking me how long it took for a cockerel and hen to have chicks, I said "about 30 seconds and 3 weeks"

[TPeers]

Could your pale chick be a copper splash maran - they have lightly feathered legs and the colour looks about right.

[kirsty b]

I do hope so! Just googled a pic. Hope its a hen if it is.