Slow to mature hens?

[ValerieNelson]

Greetings! I'd appreciate your thoughts on a puzzling issue.

I bought young-ish pullets at Agway, thought to be hatched in May. They were beyond chicks, but not as big as the pullets they usually sell. They are dark brown with a few black tail feathers, and I was told they are Red Stars. All appeared to be the same breed and age within days or at least a week or so.

One of the girls is quite mature with fully developed secondary sex characteristics and the others are just as big but with hardly a comb, waddle or earlobe yet... they are there, but very immature. The mature girl has been laying consistently for over a month, and not even a funny looking early egg from the others.

Any thoughts on why I'd have such difference in maturity?

Thanks!
Valerie

 

[Mrs. K]

Pictures?

They should all be laying if they are production reds. Maybe you only have one? There is quite a variance in when birds start laying. Are they squatting?

Mrs K

 

[Isadora]

Please post pictures when you get a chance!

 

[ValerieNelson]

Pictures?

They should all be laying if they are production reds. Maybe you only have one? There is quite a variance in when birds start laying. Are they squatting?

Mrs K

 

[ValerieNelson]

Thanks for responding! Here's the flock. They really look identical except for the maturity of their headgear, and that only the mature one is laying.

What do you think?

Valerie

 

[ValerieNelson]

Please post pictures when you get a chance!

Thank you, just posted!

 

[Iluveggers]

Did the “mature one” have the same comb style as the others? The others look like Buckeyes. I am wondering if they are all production red (Red star should be lighter), & the smaller combs have buckeye mixed in.

 

[ValerieNelson]

Did the “mature one” have the same comb style as the others? The others look like Buckeyes. I am wondering if they are all production red (Red star should be lighter), & the smaller combs have buckeye mixed in.

When they were younger they matched perfectly. All had tiny pea-combs when they were looking mature feather-wise, same comb style, then suddenly the mature one began to grow comb, waddle and earlobes. I assumed the others were just slightly slower. I have to confess, maybe Agway said Red Cross... or maybe they were just wrong.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you buy at a feed store out of the bins, people stop and pick them up to hold them, and then just put them down in the handy bin, often mixing up birds.

I always tend to think, oh, they have redden-ed up they should start laying, but really it is nearly 4 weeks from that point, to eggs. And where are you? Because as it is full on dark here at 5:00, unless you are adding light, they just might not be getting enough light.

I know they say pullets will lay through the short days of winter, but I find that is only true if the START laying before the days get short. Otherwise they wait for the days to lengthen. I would strongly expect these girls to be laying regular by January 15.