4 chicks definitely thriving and ‘Runty’ clearly not and getting left further behind every day. Often it isn’t asking for food, also spends a lot of time stuck under the others. I don’t see how it can last much longer now.
Day 11 – Excellent View of Feathers Developing
A few things to notice here:
The largest chick (on the left) is starting to get out of the nest cup. The smallest chicks are almost under it.
At least some of the chicks are now opening their eyes and when the largest chick spreads its wings you get a really clear view of how the feathers grow in an outer sheath making them look very separated. Eventually this will be shed as the feather develops fully.
The advantage of being able to get out of the cup becomes clear when the parent arrives.
Day 7 of feeding chicks
Missed a day yesterday so this one is day 7, roughly a third of the way through to fledging. We can still see 5 mouths wanting feeding. Excellent head stand performed at the end of the clip.
Day 5 of chick feeding
Growing fast, first signs of feathers and wriggling well!
Day 4 Feeding Chicks
All fine so far.
Day 3 of feeding chicks
Have a look in full screen mode (the button with arrows outwards at the top left).
Visits from the male are very common this year, in 2017 the female raised 5 out of 6 successfully almost on her own.
..and I think that’s 5 chicks now!