Breeding stage
Patch development
BP Code
0
Nest building
Defeathering
Absent
Starting
BLUTI
REEBU
start
1
▼
intense
Well defined
Vascularisation
(Blood vessels form)
Loose
skin
end
▼
Egg laying
▼
2
▼
Moderate
oedema
3
▼
No oedema;
skin loose
with fine
transverse
and vertical
wrinkles
▼
REEWA
GOLDF
BLACA - F
REEBU
4
WILWA
BLACA - M
Skin of belly
opaque, thickened
or engorged
(swollen)
Skin of belly has
thin wrinkles
Skin tighter, white feather
papillae become visible
feathers develop.
SEDWA
Figure 2. Pitfalls in identifying brood patches
BLUTI
BLUTI
BLUTI
REEWA
Engorgement gone. Skin
still stretched. Breast muscle
and gut visible. Large veins
usually not visible
Re-feathering
5
Figure 1. Brood patch codes defined.
CHIFF
REEWA
Breast & belly are fully
defeathered. Prominent
veins. Skin can appear
loose (some folding).
▼
REEWA
▼
CHAFF
Looks loose and ‘puffy’;
deep, rolling folds
or broad undulating
wrinkles. Breast muscle
and gut obscured.
Marked
oedema
Post-breeding moult
REEWA
Signs of skin swelling or
oedema. Breast muscle and
gut still visible through skin.
Oedema
(swelling)
Incubation
Hatching
Breast & belly not
fully defeathered
while feather
papillae still visible.