My two Orpingtons until this week were pretty much identical. Then on Sat. I noticed one is maturing and the other is not, at least not yet. They were hatched the same day, 10/19/08. The one less developed is actually a much bigger chicken in size, she was stretching her neck out in the photo so she looks "thinner" in the neck than the other one. But she is taller and bigger over all. I was wondering what could cause the difference, my Barred Rocks are identical in develpment of combs and wattles, also hatched on the same day. Here is Olivia, I 'd think she is right on schedule for her developemt. Here is Ophelia, she still has pale underdevelped comb and wattles. I do notice Ophelia is not as interested in eating as the other three, she will sit and preen while the others are eating like craxy any new thing I give them. She is much more cautious about new things. I think she is "low man" on the totem pole, though she is the biggest of the four. She doesn't seem as "smart"??? Or maybe it is just her cautious nature. She seems "slow"... anyone ever had this kind of hen???
You're describing my two buff orp girls. Martha matured faster than Rose did. Rose caught up eventually and now (at about 9 months) they look about the same and are both laying. I just assumed that Rose was a late bloomer. Orps are easily bullied by others - I have mine in with RIRs and GCs and they are both the lowest on the totem pole. HTH! Katie
Now mind you this is my first year with chickens, but I think with chickens as with any creature you will have some that just develop faster/normal/slower than others. It's like with human babies, I have identical twin cousins and one stared walking at 7 months, the other one not until she was 1 year. Then later the early walker was a little slower to pick up speaking than the other one. Every one and and every thing is different and develops at their own pace.
I had one that took forever to mature also! Then we rehomed 4 roosters and wouldn't ya know it-my cute little hen grew huge wattles just about over night and became a rooster!!
Hi, I have 2 Buff Orps (both are supposed to be hens, I hope so) that were born in September, 2008. I think it is remarkable, but they look just like yours. One has larger, redder, more developed wattles and comb and the other's wattles and comb are small and light pink. I believe they are about 18 weeks old now. Neither are squatting but I will keep on checking for eggs from now on, even though I feel they (especially the less developed one) have a while to go. So, as others have said, I believe the development depends on the individual chicken and is normal. Let's hope we both have some nice Buff Orp layers soon! Genie
