Powerfeeding is feeding a) more than once a week or b) stuffing the snake full once a week.
Feeding a boa or burm every 3 days is powerfeeding. Feeding a baby colubrid every 5 days is not. Why? Because colubrids have a much higher metabolism to start with.
Stuffing the snake full once a week means giving it multiple prey items until it refuses anymore. This is NOT a healthy way to feed. Why? Because it takes a LONG time for a snake to digest that many prey items. If anyone insists on stuffing their snake full on a feeding, waiting a full month before the next feeding is advisable.
Powerfeeding will cause most of the skeleton to grow much faster than the inner organs. The skull also grows at a slower rate. Powerfed snakes are quite obese with a pinheaded look. I believe my rescued female
bci was powerfed when younger since she has quite the small head. Breeding females that have been powerfed all their lives is not a good idea since their bodies can't handle the delivery of babies or laying of eggs. Most will die because of all the physical stress this activity causes.
As far as differing sizes in yearling snakes.... we have 2
bci here that were born only a day apart. 1 is clearly 3 times the size of the other. All due to genetics! Some are born smaller/bigger than the "normal" babies. Some also grow at a much different rate.
Hope that helps you a bit.
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