Much smaller pullet; cause for concern?

[dancingqueen]

I am new to raising and caring for chickens. I have 4 RIRs and 2 PBRs. About a month ago I noticed a size difference in one of the PBRs. She seems to be about half the size of the others, she eats, drinks, scratches and hangs out with the other birds. I have noticed she sometimes finishes eating much sooner then the others, but she will go back to the dish to eat a little after foraging. I try to give her extra treats to help bulk her up but it doesn't seem to help. I let them free range in my fenced in yard and feed them FF. I just wonder if I should be worried and if there is anything I should be looking for that might be causing her to be so much smaller. The birds are about 12 weeks old.

 

[BantamLover21]

Are you sure she is the same breed? Some bantam breeds (which don't grow very large) look very similar to Partridge Rocks when they're young. If you got them from a feed store, like TSC, it is possible that several similar breeds got mixed up.

If she is the same breed, she could just be stunted. Some chicks just have some sort of internal problem, and never thrive like the others. I've had two like that--one I still have. They were of different breeds, but both showed the sign of not growing fast. One died at about 12 weeks of age, but the one I still have is about 14 weeks of age. He isn't showing any sign of dying, yet, but there is definitely something wrong.

I would keep observing your little chick for any other symptoms. Encourage her to eat plenty, and perhaps put some poultry vitamins in her water. Good luck!

 

[dancingqueen]

They came from a local Gardening store, but they are hatchery birds. She looks just like her sister which is a Barred Plymouth Rock sorry I think I abbreviated incorrectly. I just saw there is a bantam breed on mypetchicken. How would I know if she was a bantam breed? I will just keep an eye on her and hope for the best. She is a sweet girl.