Runt - Will she ever catch up?

[Jodi Keilman]

I knew she was a runt from day 1, but it’s been 14 weeks and she Is SO TINY. I wanted to show you all the pics so you can see for yourself and tell me your thoughts.
Facts:
Name: Birdie (after Hope Floats)
Breed- Buff Orpington
Age- 14 weeks exactly
Leg Color- Gray (strange for a BO)
Eye Color (solid black - other BOs have green/brown/hazel eyes)
Feather Color- pale, pale buff

*the 2 other BOs in these pics are 16 weeks & 18 weeks. When you compare “Birdie’s” size to theirs, it’s crazy!

 

[snoozing chick]

Are you 100% positive that she is a buff Orpington? Her body type, plumage, gait/stance look completely different than the other orps. Where did you get her?

 

[Alaskan]

if she is perfectly healthy...

I would guess she is a bantam. .. maybe a seabright, since those come in many different colors and are tiny.

 

[Jodi Keilman]

Not 100% sure. I got her from The Stock Shop in Glendale, AZ. There were probably 75 chicks, just delivered, in the troth. The whole stock was BO pullets. But even if she’s an alternative breed, she’s still abnormally tiny don’t you think? It’s almost as if her growth is stunted.

 

[Jodi Keilman]

Oooh, I’ve never heard of that. I’m going to go Google

 

[Alaskan]

Not 100% sure. I got her from The Stock Shop in Glendale, AZ. There were probably 75 chicks, just delivered, in the troth. The whole stock was BO pullets. But even if she’s an alternative breed, she’s still abnormally tiny don’t you think? It’s almost as if her growth is stunted.

Well, feed stores are notorious for mixing up breeds.

But that is why I asked if she was healthy... Seabrights are such tiny bantams.

 

[snoozing chick]

My guess was a bantam Seabright as well - but only if you didn’t hatch her yourself.

 

[Jodi Keilman]

Well, feed stores are notorious for mixing up breeds.

But that is why I asked if she was healthy... Seabrights are such tiny bantams.

Yes, for sure. She’s perfectly healthy. Comfortably sits at the bottom of the pecking order, but she finds a way to get food. She’s fast, happy, follows the bigger BO like a magnetic force. Won’t go anywhere without her bigger sister and is always trying to get up under her breast. But she shows no signs of being weak or unhealthy.

My guess was a bantam Seabright as well - but only if you didn’t hatch her yourself.

Correct, I did not hatch her. Stock shop 1-day old chick in the Buff Orpington trough. So, y’all might be totally right - maybe she’s a Seabright. I know nothing about that breed. My interest is peaked!

 

[Alaskan]

They are a very cute bantam breed, much smaller than regular bantams. petite.

 

[City farm]

She is adorable.. you will get the cutest egg’s from her..