Chickens being bred to be “Smaller”?

[Sammy1122]

I have been raising chickens for years.I have noticed and the past couples the newest of my birds that I’ve picked form hatcheries or Tsc are relatively Small,much unlike birds I got when I was a kid, by 5 months birds use to be almost full size (aside from big breeds)now I have fourish (fivish?)month old birds who are short but have very Adult looks and acts.They are two Wyandotte’s ,one unknown white bird whom is already laying it atleast squatting with large wattles and two red sexlinks who to are very small (I feel like for their age).But, I noticed this and last years batch,as well as my jersey giants and brahama are fairly small birds,aside from the rooster who is a jersey giant.Maybe last years birds need a second year, I just would expect more size out of these birds.Any who this springs batch are Sooo small,even the bantams I feel like are suppose to be bigger in size,it’s so odd,I was curious if the chickens being hatched nowadays are Being bred to be smaller?These birds are tiny and cute and YES they are large fowl.Nun are bantams other then two.

 

[WalnutTree]

Have people you know commented on their odd size? Pictures would help!

Maybe it is just because when you were smaller, they seemed bigger and now that you've grown taller, they seem smaller than they were back then?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Could also just be poor genetics too

 

[333113]

It's very easy for a hatchery to go the wrong way in breeding. After all, they only have to select a roo and a hen of the same breed to be able to produce a chick of that breed. Seems easy, but...they are probably not selecting for any other charactistics of the breed.

In fact, very few people actually breed chickens; instead, they raise chickens, sometimes of a particular breed. My dad who raised prize-winning chickens and rabbits used to say, you don't know what you are looking at unless you are looking at a two year old. Anyone who breeds a bird before that age is shooting in the dark.

 

[Sammy1122]

Thanks I’ll try to get pics,I like them regardless,it’s just odd how two times I’ve gotten chicks from two different places and their all irregular.

 

[Sammy1122]

No, nobody really pays attention to it other then me.I have left for about 2 1/2 3 weeks cane back and these birds WERE STILL maybe putting not even an extra pound on and/or growing in height.Having raised birds before,escpecially chciks,I was expecting some larger birds when I got back.

Have people you know commented on their odd size? Pictures would help!

Maybe it is just because when you were smaller, they seemed bigger and now that you've grown taller, they seem smaller than they were back then?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I dot really lucky this year, and most of my birds are massive growers. Bit I also have one that is half the size of his sister. Genetics are a powerful thing for attitude and looks