What causes some chicks to be half the size of others?

[sheeshshe]

OK, so I have 8 chicks downstairs...2 of each type. 2 Welsummers, 2 black sex links, 2 dominiques, and 2 EE's. The welsummers are 5 1/2 weeks old, doms and links are 4 weeks old, and the EE's are 2 1/2 weeks old.

The wellies, 1 is twice the size of the other. Same with the EE's and same with the dominiques. The black sex links are the same size however. I mean, especially the welsummers, the size difference is remarkable. but really you can tell huge differences in sizes with all types except for the links.

what on earth causes this? is it a dominance thing within the breed? like who dominates who for food?

 

[jeepguy982001]

some breeds grow faster then others. You should see the size difference between my 2 red pullets and my 4 cornish x that are the same age.

 

[sheeshshe]

In this case i"m talking about within the same breed.

 

[jeepguy982001]

Sorry i must have read your post wrong. I think you may be on to something with the their not as dominant as the others and getting pushed away from the feeders. I hope somebody can help you figure out whats going on.

 

[chickgarden]

I have a similar question. I have one chick that just is so much smaller than the rest (Ameracauna). I'll be interested to hear what others more experienced have to say.

 

[Fred's Hens]

It's the luck of the gene pool poker draw, I'm afraid. Out of a flock of pullets, all from the same breeding, some "runts" always show up.

 

[sheeshshe]

Interesting that I'd get a couple runts hehehe. I don't mind as long as they all turn out alright... which they seem to be doing just fine

 

[Chickenjocky]

The smallest of my birds seem to be the best layers.