size differences between pullets from the same breed

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Bconner

Bconner

In the Brooder
Apr 5, 2016
10
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22
Hi,

I have 2 Red Star pullets hatched at the same time (about 2 months ago) and both appear to be doing well. One though is about 50% bigger than the other one. I would expect some variation but am surprised at this amount. Both appear to be healthy otherwise.

Is this much variation normal in the same breed?

Thanks!

--Ben
 
Runts can happen in chickens too.
When you say you hatched red stars, did you buy red star eggs or did you do the cross breeding yourself?

The reason I ask is that if you raised up red stars and bred them to each other they won't breed true since they are crosses and may favor one grandparent genes or the other. That could account for the difference.
 
Last edited:
I bought chicks from our local hardware store. When I got them they were a couple weeks old. They came from a hatchery.

So it sounds like it's something I don't need to rush to the vet over. :)

--Ben
 
I don't think a vet is capable of making one grow faster to catch up with its sibling.
If they both seem as active as the other, not lethargic, eating and drinking there should be no worries.
I raised 50 Freedom Rangers. One cockerel grew up to be half the size of the others. He tasted just like chicken though.
 
LOL...I imagine he did! :)

I'll just let them enjoy being chickens and not worry about it. Thanks!

--Ben
 
I had this happen to me, thought it was just variation within the birds,... until he crowed! And I had had chickens for years, and didn't recognized it until then.

MRs K
 
Oh dear. :) That happened to me when I was a teenager with a family duck my Dad identified as male, so Sherman he was. Until they went on vacation a year later and he disappeared. I found him on his nest of 8-10 eggs. That was a shock to me at the time. LOL...

--Ben
 

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