How can two cuckoo marans pullets grow at such different rates?

[Smartie_Pants]

I have two and one is much larger than the other. She is also getting her wattles now and her comb is growing. The other is small, with no wattles and a little bitty comb. They are both from the same hatchery and the same bunch. Does their growth rate come from the mother or father? Or both?

 

[erin0415]

Is it possible that one is a he and one is a she??? Also, are their legs different colors??

 

[EweSheep]

They both are definately pullets and the leg colors are the same...

It could be due to genetics or feed. I would not worry too much about it.

 

[Blisschick]

It's not unusual for two birds to grow at different rates. I have two sisters from the same mother and father hatched the same day, but one has a bigger comb and wattles than the other. Just think of it as the same with people...not all kids that are 5 years old are the same height and weight, so not all birds the same age will necessarily look the same, either.

 

[sara]

I wouldn't worry. If you got them from a hatchery it's likely that they aren't even related which could explain the different growth rates

 

[Jarhead]

Interesting you asked about this. I also have 2 cuckoo maran pullets, and one is huge compared to the other. I was out with them today scratching my head and asking myself this same question. I also have 2 Welsummer pullets and there is a slight difference in size between them. All 4 of those were hatched on the same day and are 13 weeks old. The big Maran is as large as my 22 weeks old Black Star pullet that is laying a large egg every day. I have a feeling she will be a GIANT size Cuckoo maran if she keeps up this growth rate. Guess it is just an individual bird thing.