Orpington egg layers Chicken size matter?

Welcome!

Considerable size difference? If they are all the same age, other than obvious runts.. are you sure the fairly large ones are not roosters?

Usually, from my birds at least, the ones that are significantly larger than others are usually boys. Pics perhaps? You can put them on "your page" as you won't be able to post pics straight from your uploads yet.

 

You have some time, I assume. It is only late September. You've another 70 days, give or take, before winter sets in with any harshness. How old are they? Did you get them all from the same breeder or hatchery source? You're sure they were all sold to you as being the same age? You sure wouldn't want to butcher the hens in error, I assume. If you are 100% sure all the chickens are females, which is somewhat difficult to do before maturity, can you wait another month, just to be sure?
Sorry about all the questions, but that's the way my mind works.

 

OK, thanks for the added info.

Within a month, you ought to be able spot any roosters that may have been posing. They will have combs and wattles earlier than the pullets. They will have thicker, longer legs and strut and have a different walk than the females. Once you are sure they are all females, then you can choose to cull whichever hens you wish. You'll likely have to cull before knowing their laying habits well.

Soooooooo...... here goes. If I were in your shoes, I'd choose the hens with the widest rear ends. Sounds funny, but I just don't like narrow, pinched off rears. I find those are not the greatest layers and if they do lay regularly, oft times lay a less rotund egg. How much of this is just 50+ years of observation and how much is backed by solid poultry science? I dunno. But give me a hen with a nice, wide rear any day.

 

LOL, I just had to laugh at this! My DH has only had chickens a few years and he LOVES what he calls his " Big Butt Girls".
There is some credence to the theory tho. A laying hen needs at least 2 fingers' width between the pelvic bones. Logically, the wider the pelvis, the larger the egg! Check your girls while making your selections-- just in case!

 

Haha yes, there is something to that. I have three the same age but one was stunted a bit because of a bad injury when it was only a couple weeks old. She has a narrower butt, is smaller, and lays a smaller egg. But more often than the others. My biggest hen, well, I wouldn't be surprised if I could get my whole hand between those bones!

 

sorry for the hick-up