Eric! Down developments and filter feeding...
This gorgeous snap shot shows just how much the chicks are maturing in advance of the winter. 
Their post hatch down is now being pushed out by the emerging secondary down. This soft grey layer is sumptuously soft, ever so unctuous, and I just love sinking my finger tips into it. The one legged action is all the more important now that they have the down density to insulate themselves against the autumn weather. After their morning walk they cool down quite quickly after the exercise in their individual coops, and roost beneath their heat lamps, one leg up. Little number 2 is definitely left-footed, always lifting the right up for warmth and comfort. The other two seem to show no favouritism as yet...
Their beaks are also curving, the photo below showing the nature of that inexorable curve taking shape. The point of kink is a very vivid pink colour against the grey. When you look inside, their little filter lamellae are forming on the outside of their tongues, and little number 3 has already started to use hers. I looked up during my work to see the entirety of the birds on the grazing strip in a state of alert. A rhythmic sound caught my ears, a regular "tap slap tap slap" noise... Sneaking up on the flamingos, number 3 had flipped over her food dish and was performing an elaborate tap dance in the resulting puddle. Head between her feet, she was practising filter feeding without really knowing why. I have even caught her three times since! When given real food however she is not quite sure what to do. Despite the potential source of waste, I aim to provide a huge shallow pool within which we can soak milled food on an hourly basis to encourage her to fully wean herself from the syringe feeding techniques. Every day her beak will bend and her filtering technique will improve.
I cannot help but look forward to weaning them as they are surely a huge drain upon my time. Despite this, I will really miss their doting dependency and their weaning really will signify that winter has arrived. It has been a privilege and a pleasure to be their mum. I am no fool however; so long as mum wears wellies and speaks puppy talk, they will go home with anyone!
