Not maturing at a good rate

[SandyRiverChick]

Hopefully you can see the difference in the first pullet pic compared to the 2nd pic of some of my other girls. Why is the first one (unfortunatley we have named her crazy train because shes sort of crazy and mean, she's also rejected somewhat by the others, I have to put her on her own roost at night because they peck her so hard when she tries to get on the 1 roost they all go to) maturing so slow? She's 22 weeks and her comb is really small, especially compared to the other girls.... I think shes the only 1 not laying too.... Is there a chance that she wont lay or is it the case where she is just way behind but will catch up? Do they even turn out to be just duds (the whole reason behind culling) ???

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

It is really doubtful she'll be a dud. But in this case, give her more time. You say she's an outcast, and that could be causing her stress which is causing her to be slower to mature. She should catch up.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Indeed, as I sit here hoping for advice, my boyfriend comes in to tell me that poor crazy train just got pecked hard on the head as she just ran by Zap Mamma (my oldest hen)..... She just cant seem to win