Age (days)

Chick characteristics

1

Stand on legs within hrs. of hatch; will peck for feed within 12 hr of hatch

2

Very active; walk well, drink and feed; recognize imprinted people

3

Tips of wing primaries visible

4

Tips of wing secondaries visible; chicks commence to litter-scratch

5

Tips of tail visible; posterior wing feathers very evident and unfurling

7

Anterior wing feathers very evident

9

Bastard wing feathering evident (1/4 cm)

10

Comb size, type and colour variation evident

11

Tail with more than 1 layer of feathers

16

Feathering on spine, and under wings (lateral underparts)

18

Feathering on spine, under wings: bands 1/2 cm wide

24

Head, middle third of breast, underparts and inside of thighs still downy

25

Anterior half of neck downy; back covered with furled feathers

28

Breast feathered except central area (2x2 cm)

30

Some chicks are completely feathered across the breast

31

Feathering has reached throat

43

Throat totally feathered, head (dorsal aspect) totally feathered

50

Head feathering almost complete; otherwise feathered all over, wattles 1/4 cm

55

Head and body completely feathered