Small chicken?

[Emojikitten]

I have a six-month-year-old black sex link hen that is very small. I was looking online at black sex links and I noticed that most of them are bigger than Ash (the black sex link). I would understand that she's young, but her sister who is a golden wyandotte the same age as her is bigger than the pictures online for her breed. Am I doing something wrong? Should I be giving her more nutrients? Should I stop worrying? I want to make sure Ash is growing normal so she doesn't get sick or hurt.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you have pictures? Sometimes a bird is just a runt. Sometimes there's something wrong internally that keeps them from growing properly. Time will tell. All you can do is feed them a good quality grower and house them properly, and let them exercise.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

My polish pullet is oddly small, but she is completely healthy. She gets a good amount of protein and a mixed diet, but she is just tiny. Every chicken is different.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My polish pullet is oddly small, but she is completely healthy. She gets a good amount of protein and a mixed diet, but she is just tiny. Every chicken is different.

Are you sure yours isn't a bantam?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Entirely possible she's just runty. I have an EE that's just always been smaller than everyone else, but she's very active with a big personality so it's just her body that's tiny.

 

[micstrachan]

I have a tiny (standard) silver laced Wyandotte with a straight comb and she seems in perfect health. However, my only loss so far was a tiny (standard) new Hampshire red. Always wondered if her small size was a factor. She got EYP at one year old, but was top hen and the best layer before that. One vet did find she had a broken keel bone. No idea how that happened, but wondered if perhaps she damagedher shell gland at the same time.
So after that long winded answer, I think your girl is probably fine. Enjoy her!

 

[Mrs. K]

It may be an internal issue, and she may die early. Nothing you can do, but make sure that she has a good life as long as possible.

 

[snow5164]

I had a real tiny Rhode Island Red , she had a nasty case of pasty butt as a chick , we spent a lot of time together by the kitchen sink bathing and grooming

I loved her so much , but suddenly she blended in with the others she was just a slow starter , no health issues for her !!

I’d make sure you have a couple of food and water stations so your “ tiny “ gets a chance to eat

 

[ChickenGirl555]

Are you sure yours isn't a bantam?

Yes, she isn’t SO small that she could be considered a bantam. It also might be that she’s my only girl Polish, and since her siblings were both boys, they were always bigger. Either way, I don’t think she’s a bantam.