slow-growing Buff Orpington - or mini-version - or not BO at all?

[mamasteg]

This is our wee little Buff Orpington Dolly Parton. She was probably the largest chick when they arrived (two days old) - and she eats like a complete champ - but she is markedly smaller than her sisters (Easter Eggers - Lavendar Orp - Cream Legbar - Cuckoo Maran). She still seems to have a bit of down left on her legs, too.

Do I need to be worried for any reason? Is she a Wee little Orp - or a slow grower? And if slow grower, do I need to figure out a way to feed her separately when they all turn 18 weeks and switch to the higher-calcium feed?

Thank you for any and all help!

 

[Cinnamon11]

She may be some sort of bantam but Is she is a buff orp that is REALLY small for her age.

 

[Nategotchickend]

Looks like A buff Orpington to me. Mine are about 6 weeks and much slower growing than my others

 

[homeschoolin momma]

She does look like an orp to me, but she is very small. She could be a bantam orp. There are some out there although hard to find. Orps are also known for being slower growing. However you lav orp seems to be on track with the others. Just keep an eye out for her, she just may end up being petite. As long as she is growing her feathers and filling out nicely, I wouldn't worry too much about her. You could always pull her out with a buddy once or twice a day and give her some one on one time with some softened food to make sure she is eating well. But from the picture it doesn't look like she's neglecting eating.

 

[mamasteg]

Thank you for your help - she is a major eating machine - and seems to keep up the the rest of the girls. Maybe she will just be a mini Orp! Question: do bantam hens lay smaller eggs? (And for their sakes - I hope so!)

 

[Dawnclucks22]

Thank you for your help - she is a major eating machine - and seems to keep up the the rest of the girls. Maybe she will just be a mini Orp! Question: do bantam hens lay smaller eggs? (And for their sakes - I hope so!)

Yes they do! In my experience the yolks are about the same size but with less white. Really just depends on the breed

 

[Gray Farms]

Could be a slow grower or could be a naturally occurring bantam. She can have layer when she starts laying, same as the others. Switch to a layer ration when they all start laying. Don't go by a specific age.

 

[mamasteg]

Could be a slow grower or could be a naturally occurring bantam. She can have layer when she starts laying, same as the others. Switch to a layer ration when they all start laying. Don't go by a specific age.

So should I wait 'til all my girls are laying before switching them to layer food and offering oyster shell?

 

[Rhodebar Lover]

So should I wait 'til all my girls are laying before switching them to layer food and offering oyster shell?

I would offer oyster shell ahead of time when they get close. For slower growing birds, I keep them on the higher protein food with supplemental oyster shell to make up for the calcium while their bodies are still growing. They regulate themselves when eating it

 

[Gray Farms]

I would offer oyster shell ahead of time when they get close. For slower growing birds, I keep them on the higher protein food with supplemental oyster shell to make up for the calcium while their bodies are still growing. They regulate themselves when eating it

Same here. I never feed layer personally. Just a high protein feed with oyster shell available.