Jersey Giant late to mature?

[thistlewick]

They are 24 weeks old, her two clutch mates are already laying for about a week now. They look *entirely* different.

All 3 were purchased the same day at Tractor Supply

This is the 'late bloomer' in question; Maryanne:

To me, she seems to have some male genetics going on - her hackle feathers in particular -- could this delay onset of laying?

This is her clutchmate, a perfect picture of a hen:

Sorry for the slight blurriness, they move so fast and it was dusk.

Anyone seen any other Jersey Giant do this? Another member told me they could have weird genetics?

 

[MamaPoult]

Hi! Wow, beautiful birds! I've had late bloomers before in my chicken owning career. I'd bet she will grow out of it eventually. She doesn't have any male specific feathering that I can see.

 

[sourland]

Beautiful pullet in apparent great condition just maturing slower than her flock mates.

 

[SpeckySussex]

I have had this with Speckled Sussex. Most likely it's just genetics but it could be a Vitamin D Deficiency. She's pretty well feathered out so I would just assume she's a little late to mature. Most likely over the next few weeks her comb and wattles will grow and she'll start getting ready to lay. In about 2 months of she doesn't grow I would assume a deficiency or maybe a biological issue in her reproductive tract.

 

[thistlewick]

Thank you all so much I really appreciate the responses! I am a first time chicken keeper and everything as we go is new new new! But of course I love every second of it!!

Okay will see how it goes - her two clutchmates are laying the prettiest brown eggs

 

[Eggs_Over_EZ]

Just from what I read about Jersey Giants they can take up to 8 months before starting to lay.

 

[AprilWC]

Your pullet looks normal. Age of lay is more variable with hatchery quality Jersey Giants, it could be anywhere from 6 months onward. My line of Jersey Giants typically do not begin to lay until they are 8-10 months old. Jersey Giants are a slow maturing breed by design.