Breeds That Grow Slower or Faster?

[3KillerBs]

What common, hatchery breeds tend to grow slower than others or faster than others?

I've had a few issues with my SLWs being markedly smaller and less well-feathered than my Blue Australorps and the California White and could have had the same issues with the Light Brahmas except that they are two weeks older and thus have maintained the same stage of development as their younger BA and CW sisters. Thus I thought it would be useful to know which breeds are likely to grow faster or slower so I can order compatible rates of development in the same order or, at least, sort them into separate brooders come next spring when I expand the flock.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The 11th column in the following ALBC chart gives growth rate of various breeds.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

California whites aren't a breed but rather a cross between another cross(California greys) and white leghorns.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/CalGray/BRKCalGray.html#CW

 

[3KillerBs]

The 11th column in the following ALBC chart gives growth rate of various breeds.
http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

California whites aren't a breed but rather a cross between another cross(California greys) and white leghorns.
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/CGA/CalGray/BRKCalGray.html#CW

Thank you. That chart is VERY helpful.

Chipotle, my CW, is quite a character. Skittish, but also the first to investigate anything new. And the one who has managed to escape twice so far. She had black spots in her chick down but at 8 weeks is pure white. I'm hoping spots come back in her adult plumage but DH thinks that the pure white bird with the tail held up like a flag is beautiful.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I love most Mediterranean breeds. I've had more than half of that class of chicken that exists in the US. Black and white Leghorns, Anconas, white Minorcas, Buttercups and my absolute favorite, black Penedesencas.

 

[3KillerBs]

I love most Mediterranean breeds. I've had more than half of that class of chicken that exists in the US. Black and white Leghorns, Anconas, white Minorcas, Buttercups and my absolute favorite, black Penedesencas.

Every time I put my info into a "What Chicken is Right for You" questionnaire it comes up Delaware and Australorp. I have the SLWs because the store didn't get the Delawares in the order that day like they should have.

I want a nice mix of egg colors so I looked at the white layers and thought that California White, Austra White, California Grey, or Ideal's Production Black would suit me best because the descriptions all say that they are less flighty than Leghorns. I wouldn't rule out trying other Mediterranean breeds in the future though.

I want a nice mix of pretty chickens and pretty eggs in my flock and figure I'll learn what suits me best through experience.

This experience of the Wyandottes getting run over by the Blue Australorps and needing heat a week longer than the others is why I thought of sorting the orders by growth/development rate.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Delaware is a great breed.
I'm a fan of real breeds so I've never owned hybrids.
I think there are a lot of misconceptions of breeds considered 'flighty'. That is an overused term. For instance, Penedesencas are often called flighty. More accurately, they are alert and aloof. They avoid human contact or actually anything non-chicken but that makes them very predator proof in daytime. They will fly if pressed but if not, they are easy keepers. I keep most of mine in 3' fences. Bachelor pens are 2' tall. They much prefer to run than fly. They are more likely to crawl under a fence than fly over it.

There are just so many great breeds in the world that are ignored because everyone hears about the common standbys like Orpingtons, Plymouth Rocks, RIR, Cochin, Brahma. I can come up with a couple dozen breeds that would outshine any of them.
You are in a fairly mild climate so you have more options.
One of my favorite white egg layers is the Jaerhon. The only breed from Norway and is adaptable to both cold and heat.