Splendid baby pictures

Red and Scarlet's babies are growing fast.  Everyone is getting fed and growing well now.  Just banded the 2 oldest babies today.  Eyes are starting to open and pin feathers are coming through.  Coral and Blushe's 4 fertile eggs are hatching anytime now.  I saw the oldest egg starting to crack, so am expecting the 1st baby to hatch tonight.

 Here's a group shot - should be 4 babies, but 1 is hidden.

 See the size difference between 1 of the older babies and the youngest (face down on the left).

 Here's the oldest baby whose eyes are already open.

 Oldest baby - leg band #17.

 Second oldest - leg band #18.

 The youngest baby, a bit too young for leg band still.

It's really not that hard to band babies with closed bands with some practice.  Usually age 9-10 days are the best days.  I find when pin feathers are just starting to come through correlates well with when banding should be down - see above older baby pictures.  All 3 of the longest toes should be put through the closed band ring all at once, then the ring should be slid over the 4th back toe.  Beware of the toe nail of the 4th toe catching.  The band should not be able to be slit back out over all 4 toes or it may fall off.  Some people use some mineral oil to help with the process.  I've never found it to be necessary when done on the right size/age chick.