.404 chicks' update August 2002

On 21st July 2002 .404 the Gold Campine hen hatched 6 chicks, (4 campines and 2 silkies), from ten eggs that were set under her when she went broody. The chicks have their webpage here.

5th August 2002

Above: .404 on 5th August 2002

Above: A gold campine chick next to a bucket, for scale

Above and below: .404 taking the chicks on a foraging spree, 5th August '02

Below: close-up of a gold campine chick, 5th August '02

Below: the darker blue chick out foraging

21st August 2002

Above: A silver campine youngster intrepidly perched on top of the water dispenser.

Below: .404's family on 21st August 2002

.404's chicks' update November 2002

Genetics

Fred is:- plumage = S+s+ Pg Ab Db ER id+ Hf

.404 is:- plumage = s+s+ Pg Ab Db ER id+

The Blimp is:- plumage = I Pg Ml Co W Id e+ E (R, b, y or wh - unsure which E)

The brown chick has Db, Pg, ...Phoebe is really intriguing, as I expected all Blimp's chicks to be pale/white necked with some blurry barring and/or lacing, as Blimp has dominant white, and Fred also has dominant white and columbian restrictors. However, Phoebe is very dark - black neck, black body with slight blurry brownish markings on her back, wings and tail, and blurry barring on her breast, also dark legs, beak and eyes (Fred is supposed to be dark eyed, but his are actually orange)...oh, and a little pea comb like her mum. I'll be watching her mature with interest, and will also order that Crawford book from the library again!

The Campine chicks are silver phenotype, some slightly paler than others, some with less distinct barring and black stripes in the centre of the new head feathers..