Growth rate questions--

[Becky_H]

Basically: At what age do various breeds gain their full size. I assume that bantams will top out before large fowl, but I'm being pretty specific in my wonderings.

At what age will a red-sex-link attain full size? What about a Orpington? Light Brahma? D'Uccles?

 

[Judy]

Henderson's has a section of the chart that tells whether early or late maturing.

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

 

[Becky_H]

I saw that. Unfortunately I'm too new to know what that means. I know roughly when they start laying and all but I don't know what counts as slow maturing. Does that mean 2 years or 6 months, you know?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

There is a wide variation. In general exhibition birds mature more slowly than production strains.

I would say that production strains are pretty much at maturity about the time they begin laying. My silkies often don't finish maturing until they are two or more years.

 

[damselfish]

My Buff Orpington hen was still growing, sort of widening out her rear end to a matronly stance, until she was about a year old.

We have been known to call her "Wide Load" when she is not listening.

I can't help with the other breeds you named.

 

[mom2chicksandpups]

Quote:
Nice chart! Thanks for sharing that. I have bookmarked it for future reference.