Pullet Question

[Urbanduckfarmer]

Hello all. I have 2 California Grey pullets, both are almost 5 months old and I've had them since they were a day old. One is developing a nice comb and wattle, but the other isn't developing like her sister. These are my first chickens for eggs, as I've raised for meat. I've raise quail, ducks, partridge, geese and pigeons, but never have had chickens. I don't know if its something internally with her(worms for example), or something metabolic. They are on 20 percent grower and have supplemental calcium and grit, and get oregano as an immune boost, but I don't know why this one is behind the other. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Urbanduckfarmer

 

[TheBeardie]

Do you have pictures? That always helps. Are you sure both are female?

 

[Urbanduckfarmer]

I'll try to upload pics. Both are female.

 

[JaeG]

It does vary widely when pullets mature, even in related birds. Hopefully there's nothing to worry about.

 

[BReeder!]

Hello all. I have 2 California Grey pullets, both are almost 5 months old and I've had them since they were a day old. One is developing a nice comb and wattle, but the other isn't developing like her sister. These are my first chickens for eggs, as I've raised for meat. I've raise quail, ducks, partridge, geese and pigeons, but never have had chickens. I don't know if its something internally with her(worms for example), or something metabolic. They are on 20 percent grower and have supplemental calcium and grit, and get oregano as an immune boost, but I don't know why this one is behind the other. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Urbanduckfarmer

Not sure where you are located, but cold weather could be a factor. Young hens can delay sexual maturity (egg production and the same process that encourages the growth and coloration of the comb and waddle) if it's cold. I don't know much of the California Grey, but I have a Cuckoo Marans that waited 9 months to color out her comb and waddle and start laying eggs. Her first egg, a real beauty of an egg by the way, was just the other day.
It may also be a deficiency of some kind. I'm certainly not the biology expert to figure that out though.