Newbie question about development

[wiltonflock]

My chicks are about 14 weeks old and all are in what seems to be different stages developmentaly. I guess my only reason for saying that is that their combs and wattles vary greatly in how far they are along. Just wondering why that would be if they are all the same age and eat the same thing. The barred rock on the far right is the furthest along and the Arucana(?) is the least. Thanks for the help.

 

[bcmama]

You have very pretty birds. Being a newbie myself I can't answer your question but are the BR's hens are roos? Do you know yet? At what age did they start getting their combs and wattles?

 

[wiltonflock]

Thanks, I think so too.

They are all hens. The barred rocks started getting theirs pretty young but I am not sure exactly when this picture is around 4-5 weeks old and her comb is started. This is the barred rock with less comb now. The wattles they just started getting in the last month or so maybe.

 

[wiltonflock]

The top pics were taken right before I posted this so it is up to date on what they look like.

 

[donrae]

Well, this is the best way I can think to explain, even though it sounds kinda crude. 14 week hens are about equal to 7th grade girls. Go to any middle school and see the range in "development" on the human girls. Same thing with chickens. Even sisters will develop at different rates, so will birds raised together. Some breeds are known for maturing earlier, also. They'll all develop eventually.

 

[gardendufus]

X2

 

[wiltonflock]

Well, this is the best way I can think to explain, even though it sounds kinda crude. 14 week hens are about equal to 7th grade girls. Go to any middle school and see the range in "development" on the human girls. Same thing with chickens. Even sisters will develop at different rates, so will birds raised together. Some breeds are known for maturing earlier, also. They'll all develop eventually.

Thank you that is a perfect expaination! For some reason I expected the animal world to be more precice than the human world.