Mottled Java

[LaurenRitz]

I THINK this is a hen. That's what she was sold as. If she's a roo, no problem, I need a couple more hens anyway. But she's easily twice the size of the other Mottled Java. They were much closer to the same size when I got them. Hatchery said she was 4 weeks old. It's been 4 weeks since I got them, so she should be 7-8 weeks.

The first picture is her side-by-side with the other Mottled Java that the hatchery said was the same age. I don't think they were--I think she's a week older.

If you can, please tell me WHY you think a certain way, so I can start to train my eyes to see it.

 

[SilverBirds]

She's a pullet!

Your other baby looks like a failure to thrive chick.

 

[LaurenRitz]

Failure to thrive didn't even occur to me. She eats and drinks, no problem. Runs around and steps on the other chickens heads. She's the one that will snatch food out of the others' beaks and run away with it. I'll keep an eye on her.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Failure to thrive didn't even occur to me. She eats and drinks, no problem. Runs around and steps on the other chickens heads. She's the one that will snatch food out of the others' beaks and run away with it. I'll keep an eye on her.

I had a Mottled Java with failure to thrive. It stayed about half the size of the others before it finally passed at around 14 weeks old. My only chick I've ever raised that had this. They're a bit inbred (at least some lines are) which can lead to problems. The largest looks to be a pullet!

 

[Offshoreorca]

I agree - looks like a pullet so far!

Also, I had a failure to thrive Bresse that I got in September 2021 and she's still alive and kicking. Half the size of the other Bresse hens. We call her "Mini Me". I suspect she has heart issues (comb has been purple tinged the last couple of months) and don't except her to live a full life, but she is producing eggs and behaving well so far.

 

[3KillerBs]

Mottled Java female. I'm unfamiliar with failure to thrive issues, but Javas are supposed to be big girls. Mine certainly is.