There is nothing better than getting little chicks. I love listening to their tiny peeps and spend hours just observing their behaviors. They are tiny, fluffy, and usually very sweet. Enjoy this stage while you can, because it won’t last long!
Chicks turn into chickens very quickly. If you want hens that are happy, healthy, and lay lots of eggs, you need to know about each stage of their growth and give them the right food and care at each one.
Raising chickens from day-old chicks is an incredibly rewarding experience. In just six weeks, those little fuzzy balls will be fully grown chickens ready to move into the coop and start laying eggs. But what exactly happens in those six weeks? Read on to learn all about the amazing changes chicks go through at six weeks old.
Week 1: Fluffy and Unsteady
Straight from the incubator day-old chicks look more like cotton balls with legs than baby chickens. Their down is soft and fluffy and they can barely stand up on their thin, wobbly legs. Chicks sleep a lot at this stage, huddling together for warmth and comfort. When awake, they drink water and peck at starter feed. Their high-pitched peeping melts chicken keepers’ hearts.
Week 2: Feathers Sprouting
At two weeks old, chicks look slightly less delicate but just as adorable. They are steadier on their feet and can walk and run better. Tiny pinfeathers start breaking through the down, giving them a spiky appearance. Chicks are more active and inquisitive now. Their personalities begin developing, and you’ll notice bolder “leaders” emerging in the flock.
Week 3: Getting Feathery
By three weeks old, chicks are sprouting feathers all over their bodies. Wing and tail feathers grow rapidly. Chicks are eating more starter feed and drinking lots of water. They enjoy taking dust baths in the brooder to clean their new feathers. Chicks grow more independent but still sleep huddled together at night. You can begin introducing treats like mealworms and greens.
Week 4: Gaining Size
At four weeks old, chick feathers grow in thicker. Distinct roosters develop slightly larger combs and wattles. Chicks are quite active and their chick personalities shine through. They flap their wings and begin roosting on low perches. You’ll notice bickering and establishing the “pecking order.” Chicks should be fully feathered on their wings, torso, and tail.
Week 5: Nearly Full Grown
Your five week old chickens look like proper little hens and roosters, though on a smaller scale. They are fully feathered except for some fluffy down remaining on their heads and necks. Young roosters attempt to crow but can only manage hoarse squeaks. Chicks enjoy exploring and treat foraging like a game. You can introduce grown-up perches and nest boxes now.
Week 6: Ready for the Coop
At six weeks old, chickens have reached a major milestone and look like miniature adults. Their juvenile feathering is complete and they are fully feathered except for small bare patches behind the combs and wattles. Chickens have established gender roles and flock dynamics. They are eating adult layer feed well. Six weeks marks “point of lay” for some breeds, so be on the lookout for first eggs!
Raising chickens from day-old chicks to six weeks old is a wonderful adventure. You’ll be amazed by how rapidly chicks transform into young chickens during their first six weeks of life. With proper care and feeding, your chicks will grow into healthy, thriving chickens ready to move outdoors to the coop. Just remember to document each stage with lots of adorable photos!
Week by Week Changes
Here’s a quick weekly recap of the major changes chicks undergo during their first six weeks:
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Week 1: Fluffy cotton balls with legs. Unsteady, sleep a lot.
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Week 2: Getting steadier, pinfeathers emerging. More active.
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Week 3: Sprouting wing and tail feathers. Eating/drinking more.
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Week 4: Feathers growing thicker. Roosting, bickering.
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Week 5: Fully feathered except some neck fuzz. Attempted crowing.
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Week 6: Juvenile feathers complete. Gender roles defined.
What to Expect at 6 Weeks Old
Now that they are six weeks old, what can you expect from them? Here are some of the most important things:
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Full Juvenile Plumage: All of the feathers are in place except for a few spots behind the comb and wattles. Hens lose their chick down.
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Gender Differences: Roosters develop larger combs/wattles, exhibit male behavior. Hens are typically smaller.
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Established Pecking Order: Dominant chickens emerged. Bickering and pecking establishes rankings.
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Foraging Skills: Chickens enjoy pecking, scratching, and foraging for treats. Natural behaviors emerge.
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Roosting Instinct: Perching on high roosts at night for safety and comfort. May need low roosts at first.
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Dust Bathing: To clean their feathers and skin, chickens take dust baths often. Provide them a dust bathing area.
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Eating Layer Feed: Able to transition fully to adult layer feed. Provide starter feed if still adjusting.
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Ready for the Coop: At six weeks, young chickens are ready to transfer to the outdoor coop.
Signs Your Chicks are Ready for the Coop at 6 Weeks
How do you know precisely when your chickens are ready to make the big move? Watch for these signs of coop readiness around 6 weeks old:
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Fully Feathered: Chickens have complete feathering coverage except for small bare patches behind comb and wattles.
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Mature Behavior: Your chickens roost, forage, and behave like mini adult chickens.
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Eating Layer Feed: Chickens are eating and digesting layer feed well without issue.
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Weather Hardy: Fully feathered chickens can handle fluctuations in temperature and weather.
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Space Issues: Your brooder is feeling cramped. Chickens need more space.
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Minimal Heat Needed: Chickens no longer huddle under the heat lamp for warmth.
When you notice these signs, it’s time to transition your six week old chickens into their permanent coop and run. They’ll relish all that new space to roost, dust bathe, scratch, and forage in the fresh air and sunshine. Just be sure to move them gradually over several days and continue providing supplemental heat as needed. With patience and care, you’ll have happy young chickens thriving in their coop in no time.
Common Breeds and Appearance at 6 Weeks
While all chickens undergo the same basic changes, their specific size, color, and appearance at six weeks old depend on the breed. Here’s what to expect from some popular backyard chicken breeds:
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Rhode Island Reds: Rich mahogany red plumage. Yellow legs/skin. Single combs.
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Australorps: Glossy black feathers. Red combs/wattles. Fast-growing.
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Orpingtons: Big and fluffy. Buff Orpingtons have golden head and neck at 6 weeks.
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Leghorns: White or brown feathers depending on variety. Large red combs and wattles. Spunky.
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Silkies: Fluffy, adorable feathered heads and feet. Smaller bantam bodies.
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Cochins: Abundant long, fluffy plumage. Look like feathery pompoms. Slower growing.
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Polish: Silly topknot feathers on their head. White crest varieties easiest to sex.
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Barred Rocks: Distinctive black and white barred pattern emerging on feathers. Hardy and active.
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Easter Eggers: Vary widely in color and pattern. Sweet temperaments. Medium sized.
Regardless of the breed, all healthy chickens raised with proper care should reach their juvenile feathering by six weeks old. Tracking breed differences just adds to the fun of chicken keeping!
The transformation from delicate day-old chick to young chicken in just six short weeks is nothing short of remarkable. With proper nutrition, housing, and care, you’ll be amazed at their rapid growth and development. Getting to see those little peepers mature into chickens with their own personality quirks and behaviors is one of the greatest joys of raising backyard chickens. So fill your brooder, select your breeds, and get ready for six weeks of pure chicken-keeping magic!
Stage 2: The Pullet Stage (6 Weeks – 6 Months)
After the chick stage, the young hens become pullets. This stage is characterized by rapid growth as they begin to mature. It’s an exciting stage because pullets typically start to develop their unique colors and patterns. It’s also during this stage where you would slowly start integrating them into your existing flock if you have one!.
This transition takes a lot of patience, but I promise they will eventually all get along. Handle your chickens, feed them treats, and spend a lot of time with them if you want them to be friendly. There are so many people who don’t understand how my chickens will let me hold them, etc. , but it’s because I’ve invested the time into them. And, it’s so worth it for the chicken snuggles!.
Weeks 6-12: Learning the Social Rules
Stronger social behaviors emerge as pullets establish their place in the flock. This takes some babysitting to make sure everyone can play nice. I feed them a grower feed, which supports their rapid development. But I will say that if you add them to your current flock, they will only eat the other chickens’ layer feed. It’s tough to separate, but don’t worry. I haven’t had any trouble!.
Months 4-6: Prepping for Egg Laying
Pullets will begin the transition to layers. Their bodies prepare for egg production, and they may exhibit nesting behaviors. You will notice they start submitting to you by squatting and staying still when they’re getting ready to lay. It’s so exciting!.
Stage 3: The Laying Hen Stage (6 Months & Beyond)
Once a pullet reaches around 6 months of age, she usually starts laying eggs. This is dependent on their breed and health of course.
I will always remember when I laid my first egg. It was one of the happiest days in our backyard, and I think the neighbors heard all about it because I was so excited! Haha!
Hen and Rooster at 6 weeks, how to tell Barnefelder
FAQ
How to tell if a chick is 6 weeks old?
By week 5, the chicks should have a full set of feathers and look like little chickens. Then they will molt, or lose their feathers and grow in new ones to accommodate their rapidly growing bodies. By week 6, the chicks will grow into pullets and should be fully feathered.
What does a 6 week old baby chicken look like?
6-week-old chickens should be fully feathered and can tolerate cooler temperatures.
How can you tell a 6 week old hen from a rooster?
The combs and wattles on a rooster will be a darker pink color and will grow bigger and faster than those on a hen.
Do chickens need a heat lamp at 6 weeks?
Keep your chicks in a garage or barn that is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They will need a heat lamp until they are six weeks old and have all of their feathers.