can any one tell me why roosters at the show are so big?

[Omran]

we went today to a poultery show and I have seen a very huge roosters I swear some of them over 15 or 20lb, I just really like to know if that normal or they give tis birds some kind of hormons?
And they were all kind of breeds RIR ,white rosck,the op yellow looking one jersy jiant.
please post pictures of your roosters for us to enjoy them if you can.
Thank you all.
Omran& Angela

 

[Buckaroo]

I was wondering the same thing, I seen some big birds yesterday at the fair, man they was as big as turkeys.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I have heard that hatchery birds (such as the hatchery Jersey Giants) don't get as big as the breeder birds that have been bred especially to fit the standard. At shows, you're looking at the best of the breed, so it's likely you're seeing the birds as they were intended to be (standard-wise).

I'm not sure why small size is a trait of some hatchery birds; maybe one of the breeder experts on here can elaborate on that.

 

[debilorrah]

When we bought our chickens, there was a White Leghorn rooster that I swear was 3 1/2 feet tall. I couldn't believe my eyes.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Is there a bias for big cockerals?

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:

It's not the size that matters. It's how friendly they are.

 

[pips&peeps]

Each breed has a weight standard for pullets and hens and cockerels and roosters. If a rooster is too big for his standard he will be marked down.

 

[Frizzledhen]

Quote:

It's not the size that matters. It's how friendly they are.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Quote:

It's not the size that matters. It's how friendly they are.

I personally like the biggest, fattest, friendliest ones the best.

 

[Frizzledhen]

pips&peeps :

Each breed has a weight standard for pullets and hens and cockerels and roosters. If a rooster is too big for his standard he will be marked down.

I agree that they should be but judges don't carry a scale around with them. They are having this problem with RIRs. Seems like bigger is better even if they are over the standard weight.​