Question on body characteristics...... something I read has me worried

[Guitartists]

You know....I've studied and I've read...and I've learned and continue to soak up everything I can on chickens.... but what I don't have is the first hand experiences that seasoned chicken owners have.... so your input is greatly appreciated

 

[kinnip]

Firstly, you should give he younguns a break. No one can know what they'll look like as adults. Secondly, the sort of phenotypical features indicated in the picture probably have little to do with the genotypical reality of your birds. I can't name one animal I can simply look at to predict their productiveness. Your birds are jubbly wubbly, be happy!

 

[Guitartists]

I guess I find it hard because I have nothing to compare them to firsthand. I've only spent very limited time around other people's birds and I only have one bird that is over a year old. So all I have to go by are photos.

I don't care if my pet birds ever meet any ideal appearance.... but I do want to make sure that I am not overlooking something on MY part.

 

[kinnip]

If the birds make you happy, who cares for standard.

For my part, I have some Copper Black Marans who are quite lovely, but not the finest. If someone really wants some, I'd sell them, but not without full disclosure. Regardless, they make wonderful eggs and are very hearty, friendly birds. I'm aware of the breed standard and my birds standing in relation to it, but my main concern is quality food and healthy, happy birds.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

 

[Guitartists]

Yeah.... it was just that whole 'vigor' part.... I was worried that maybe they were missing something in their diet or care that I had overlooked.... hopefully it's just their youth..... it seems all of the pics I see of nice robust birds are usually of full grown ones.

 

[speckledhen]

I think maturity is the difference in some of these pictures. Youngsters can fill out alot, even in more than a year's worth of growing. As they say, compare apples to apples. The best thing is to enjoy your birds. If you have a particular breed you are concentrating on, trying to develop a high quality flock per Standard, then sure, refer to the standard; but if you are just wanting pretty, healthy birds, dont worry too much about it. Enjoy them! I have all qualities here on the scale and I love them all. I will concentrate closely on my new Delaware project and cull when I need to to meet the Standard, mainly because they are endangered and hatcheries are outcrossing to Columbian Rocks, not a good thing at all. But my others? Not so much. Yes, they are pretty good, but not perfect. Some have flaws and I know what they are and may get better stock to interbreed with them in the future, but I wont wring all the enjoyment out by worrying too much. Your birds are pretty! Enjoy!

 

[kinnip]

All the show quality pictures and breed standards address the phenotypes of aggressively bred birds. Phenotype is always determined by genotype. The very fact that you're concerning yourself with research suggests that you have some well fed, healthy birds. Give them time. If they really seem not-so-vigorous later, you should look into reasons why, but don't let anyone else's opinion of their body type cause you stress.

 

[Renee]

Guitartists, I have wondered about this too. One of my chickens seems thinner and bonier that the other three. Since they are all different breeds, it is hard to say what "too thin" is. She lays an egg every day, she eats well, she has just always been thinner than the others. Thanks for posing the question.