Good morning y'all
I need some "expert" advise. I have (from a breeder in Ohio) a flock of Columbian Plymouth Rocks Large Fowl that I am beginning to work with. I have 4 cockerels (2 of which I will be keeping) and 7 pullets. Of the 7 pullets, 6 are about the same size, all thriving, although each has her own set of qualities/issues which will need to be either carried on or improved upon. However, my 7th pullet is definitely different. She is probably a 1/3 smaller than the other 6, legs are shorter, her head looks like a golf ball set upon the top of her neck and her eyes are very narrow and weak looking. Hoping not to offend anyone here, so please forgive me, but I would liken her appearance to that of a human child suffering from Downs Syndrome.
Here are 2 pictures
I know that she is certainly not one to keep for breeding purposes, but my question is:
How does this occur? Is it a result of line breeding and if so, what do I do in the long term to avoid this? Can she live a decent quality of life if she is just placed into a laying flock or a flock with no rooster? She is simply a little sweetheart, but I have no idea what to do for her. I currently have her separated from the others as she appeared to have been getting trampled on
Y'all that have been doing this for a while, is this an unusual thing? Something that occurs that we "neophytes" need to be on the watch for? And of course what suggestions would you give on how to avoid this down the road?
Thanks much!!!
Scott
