Is it possible I got a Bantam BO by error?

[TheChickenNewb]

So I got three young ladies at about 7 weeks old. I got a Barred Rock, a Brahma, and a Buff Orp. I keep reading that Orps are a larger breed but mine is a pip squeak. Seriously. She's tiny, especially next to the other two who have grown substantially and really filled out. They are about 16 weeks now and she's still tiny. I know that most hens are tiny next to a Brahma but the little Orpington looks nothing like the big, full Orps I see online. I'm such a newbie, I have to ask, is there any chance the supplier brought me a Bantam by error? What is the size difference between Bantams and regular BOs? Are BOs slow growers?
I'm new to this forum and am now realizing that I have no idea how to upload a picture of her but maybe someone can give me general stats on bantams vs regular?

 

[Blackberry18]

It's possible that you got a bantam. Buff Orpington bantams weight about average of 34 oz. (Pullets/Hens) and 38 oz (Cockerel/Cock). It's hard to determine size without a picture, but if you can upload photos to your computer, than you can upload to the website. Just go to your profile, scroll down to "My Pictures" and click the "Upload Photos" button. Then you can select files from your computer, and then add them to posts by clicking the image button when making a post (it has mountains and a moon).

Otherwise, it's totally possible to get an "unofficial" bantam. It's my belief and theory that bantams are created from standard fowl through many generations of cross-breeding (or in-breeding), which gradually reduces the size of the offspring (which happened to my friend when she bred Jersey Giants; they came down to the size of Leghorns). Therefore, when the offspring are bred together, they produced the same, small offspring, which eventually led to bantam sizes.

As for the slow growth, Buff Orpingtons do mature slowly, and if yours is an "unofficial" bantam, then the growth could be slow, but usually, bantams grow as fast as other birds. Your bird could also have something wrong with her. One of my Barred Rock chicks had something stuck in her digestive tract, and she had stunted growth. However, I don't want to worry you, and unless your bird is acting sick, then that's not the case.

Where'd you get your birds? That can play a huge factor. Also a pic would really help.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens Chances are many pictures you are seeing online are of good quality Orpingtons from breeders. Unless you specifically bought show Orpingtons you probably received hatchery quality Orpingtons which are smaller and less filled out.

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Here is a nice good quality English Orpington

This is what most hatchery Buff Orpingtons look like

These aren't my pictures.

 

[TheChickenNewb]

Okay, yes. Both replies make sense. They came from Dare to Dream Farms in the So Cal area. Here are some photos of them. Just took me a bit to figure out this forum. Thanks for the replies and for the help!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Okay, yes. Both replies make sense. They came from Dare to Dream Farms in the So Cal area. Here are some photos of them. Just took me a bit to figure out this forum. Thanks for the replies and for the help!

She looks like a typical pet quality Orpington

 

[TheChickenNewb]

Okay great! She's been dwarfed by the internet ideal, haha! It's good that she's the spiciest of the three, considering she's the smallest. Thanks so much!

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

Okay great! She's been dwarfed by the internet ideal, haha! It's good that she's the spiciest of the three, considering she's the smallest. Thanks so much!

You're welcome

 

[scalyfeets]

Okay, yes. Both replies make sense. They came from Dare to Dream Farms in the So Cal area. Here are some photos of them. Just took me a bit to figure out this forum. Thanks for the replies and for the help!

Hi ChickenNewb, my BO is also smaller than my other girls, about 20% or so. I came on the forum to check it out and found your post, it gave me some relief to see mine isn't the only one like that. I ,too, was seeing these HUGE birds online and I was beginning to think something might be wrong. She's quite smart and lively and a lovely caramel color, I named her Carmen. Happy Chickening!