6 week old RIR hens.

[theemerichfam]

I have 6 week and 8 day old RIR hens. I have kept them in a smaller pen before introducing them to my flock, even though they are also young (3-5 months), have grown much faster than the RIRs. Is this common? We have moved them into a bigger pen thinking that with much more space they will grow faster, but I wanted some opinions on it. Thanks!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I have 6 week and 8 day old RIR hens. I have kept them in a smaller pen before introducing them to my flock, even though they are also young (3-5 months), have grown much faster than the RIRs. Is this common? We have moved them into a bigger pen thinking that with much more space they will grow faster, but I wanted some opinions on it. Thanks!

What breed(s) are your other birds that have grown faster than the RIR? Are your RIR heritage stock or hatchery/production birds? What are you currently feeding? How much space did they have prior to being moved to the larger pen? Can you take and post photos of both groups?

 

[theemerichfam]

As you can see my RIRs on the left hand side. my buff orpington/RIR cross are the tan ones, and the silkies are 5 months.

They are hatchery birds, and they had a good 5 by 5 space to run around in.

 

[theemerichfam]

here's the coop/run layout.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Are the BO/RIR crosses feather legged or is that just the appearance due to angle of the photo?

 

[theemerichfam]

feather legged.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

feather legged.

Neither BO or RIR are feather legged birds, so it would seem more likely that your birds are the result of a crossing with a different breed - for example, rather than BO it may have been buff cochin.
On the size difference, given that the older birds are twice or more the age of the younger birds I don't see anything at all concerning about the size difference. They grow so fast in those first 3-4 months. Once they are all 6+ months of age things will even out.