chickens to big?

[Bluerosesd]

We have Blue Orpingtons, Silver Laced Wyanndotts and Easter Eggers. The SLW arnt that large but the BO are HUGE to me. Their bodies are almost the size of a basket ball. The roo is HUGE he is a tall and very regal looking. Are we feeding to much? are they just healthy and filled out? My son who has aspergers takes care of them and we are wondering if we are over feeding.

 

[Faraday40]

Orpingtons are generally very large. I called my lavender roosters "turkey sized".

@Faraday40 has some wonderful size-relative pictures. I'm not sure what the "ideal" weight is for them though.

Orpingtons can be very large birds - especially if you've got them from a breeder or if they came from English bloodlines. The imported English bloodlines look like basketballs with heads. They're extra fluffy. I've also seen some hatchery birds look thin like RIR. They're smaller and bred for decent egg production, so it's not all bad.

I allow my flock to free range but they also have a feeder always filled with commercial feed. The birds prefer to find treats in the yard and go to the feeders if they find nothing better. Since it's always there, they don't overeat the feed.


Here's a pulet on the large side (almost 9lbs in the pic) She grew to a little over 10.

This is more a normal sized orp pullet

Here was our all-time fav roo. Don't let the big size fool you. He was a gentle, old, soul and the best flock leader we ever had. We actually had bigger boys, but this guy was the boss. He was also gentle and allowed the kids to simply pick him up.

It takes a long time for an orp to reach full size and fill out (about 18 months)
Here's a 4 mo old baby cockerel. They get tall but are mostly bones

These are my laced orps. You'll see what I mean by "basketballs with heads"

These 2 are only 4 months but I like their shape so far. They're mostly fluff.

This one is 7 months & just started laying. She's fluffy AND heavy.

I hope these pics help.

 

[Faraday40]

Thank you. We're a little obsessed with orps. LOL I also enjoy taking pics of them.

This is Jewel (my fav blue orp) She's big & beautiful, but molting in this most recent pic. Every bird is a little different, but in general, orps are very friendly & docile.

Here she was earlier. The angle of the pic makes her look a little bigger than normal, but I'll admit that she's a little too big to be lap chicken..... but that doesn't seem to stop her from trying.

This is how she normally looks.

Although we have some fancy/rare types of orps, the simple black orps may be my fav color. I just love that iridescent beetle green shine when they're in the sunlight.

 

[WVduckchick]

Orpingtons are generally very large. I called my lavender roosters "turkey sized".

@Faraday40 has some wonderful size-relative pictures. I'm not sure what the "ideal" weight is for them though.

 

[Bluerosesd]

Took some pics of them

 

[MissChick@dee]

Faraday 40. Those are gorgeous birds.

 

[snow5164]

what A beautiful looking flock , you just have big breeds. The Wyandotte looks like mine ...

If you pick them up do you feel any bones ?

What is their diet everyday , treats included?

 

[townchicks]

Size is relative, based on breed. My EEs are noticeably smaller than my RIR. Best to pick up the individual chickens and feel their bodies. Feathers can be very deceiving. Also, maybe have your son measure what he is feeding daily, then you can judge better, if it is too much or not enough. Personally, I free feed my hens, birds have a high metabolism and I'd rather err on the side of too much, than not enough.

 

[WVduckchick]

Orpingtons can be very large birds - especially if you've got them from a breeder or if they came from English bloodlines. The imported English bloodlines look like basketballs with heads. They're extra fluffy. I've also seen some hatchery birds look thin like RIR. They're smaller and bred for decent egg production, so it's not all bad.

I allow my flock to free range but they also have a feeder always filled with commercial feed. The birds prefer to find treats in the yard and go to the feeders if they find nothing better. Since it's always there, they don't overeat the feed.


Here's a pulet on the large side (almost 9lbs in the pic) She grew to a little over 10. View attachment 1564358

This is more a normal sized orp pullet
View attachment 1564350

Here was our all-time fav roo. Don't let the big size fool you. He was a gentle, old, soul and the best flock leader we ever had. We actually had bigger boys, but this guy was the boss. He was also gentle and allowed the kids to simply pick him up.
View attachment 1564363


It takes a long time for an orp to reach full size and fill out (about 18 months)
Here's a 4 mo old baby cockerel. They get tall but are mostly bones
View attachment 1564370

These are my laced orps. You'll see what I mean by "basketballs with heads"
View attachment 1564378
These 2 are only 4 months but I like their shape so far. They're mostly fluff.
View attachment 1564385
This one is 7 months & just started laying. She's fluffy AND heavy.
View attachment 1564389


I hope these pics help.

 

[drumstick diva]

Wow, I never knew Orps could get that large!! They are truly gorgeous birds