How to get a big fat hen/is this selfish?

[FirstTimeChikens]

I love how a big fluffy buff orpington hen looks. I've seen people have skinny ones, but I really am hoping mine get big. Would it be selfish to purposely feed them extra to get them beefed up? I don't want to risk their health but I also want them to be super fluffy, if that makes sense.

 

[sourland]

Do as you may, they won't 'beef' up unless it is in their genetics.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

Do as you may, they won't 'beef' up unless it is in their genetics.

Okay! Thank you! Hope I got some genetically thick girls

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Agree, the "bigness," not about diet it's about the breeder's line. I've had both big and small buff's and big and small Lavender's as it's a crap shoot with large hatcheries (mine come from Privett.) The only way to try to guarantee the chick outcome is to talk to a local breeder about what they're breeding and try to see some examples.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

Agree, the "bigness," not about diet it's about the breeder's line. I've had both big and small buff's and big and small Lavender's as it's a crap shoot with large hatcheries (mine come from Privett.) The only way to try to guarantee the chick outcome is to talk to a local breeder about what they're breeding and try to see some examples.

Thanks! Any idea about Murray McMurray?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Same as Privett, it's a crap shoot. That said they do have a decent reputation, better than Hoover's IMO.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Here's a big fluffy butt Lavender Orp for inspiration

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If you want big Orpingtons I would recommend Papa’s Poultry. I have ordered from him several times and he has the older English lines which get big big. I have had people confuse them for turkeys until they get closer and then they ask “what in the world are those chickens I have never seen chickens so big?”. My Papa’s poultry hens are double the size of my hatchery orpingtons.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

If you want big Orpingtons I would recommend Papa’s Poultry. I have ordered from him several times and he has the older English lines which get big big. I have had people confuse them for turkeys until they get closer and then they ask “what in the world are those chickens I have never seen chickens so big?”. My Papa’s poultry hens are double the size of my hatchery orpingtons.

Oh wow!!!!! Maybe if I get more (my coop is full) I'll look into this. I love love love big orpingtons.

 

[FirstTimeChikens]

Here's a big fluffy butt Lavender Orp for inspiration
View attachment 3929465

She's gorgeous