Image courtesy of Jean Pennycook

From: Jean Pennycook
Cape Royds, January 23, 2007

Chick Weigh In

Every week we weigh a random sample of chicks to see how they are growing. Since the chicks are older now we use a net to catch them, put them in a bag attached to a spring scale to weigh them and then measure their wing length. The first time I entered the nesting group with the net, they did not run away, but the second time, they had learned what was happening and scattered, making my job harder. It does not hurt them to use the net or to put them in the bag, these chicks are sturdy and strong. This year's chicks are much heavier compared to last year. Open ocean has been close, and the parents have had an easy time providing plenty of food. This chick weighed about 3 kg.

Penguin Science

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