Can a chicken never lay an egg?

[fasschicks]

I have a 1 year old Barnavelder that has been trying to lay an egg since last November. She sits on the nest about 3 times per week for 1-3 hours at a time and has yet to produce an egg. I have a real mixed flock for breeds, so I know who is laying what and there is no place for them to hide eggs. I have a game cam on the nesting boxes and I see her nesting for hours and never laying an egg. She has been squatting hard and had a super red comb since last November.

I can tell she has it in her head that she should be laying eggs, but nothing is ever produced. I have heard that there are some chickens that will never produce an egg in their life time, but not sure if they go through the same nesting process and still not produce anything. Has anyone ever come across this before? How long should I wait before I give up hoping? Thanks for any guidance.

Wendy

 

[S1ilkieGirl99]

how long has she been sitting but not laying any eggs? there is a possibility she could be egg bound. she may also be laying in a different area; it is unlikely, but I once had a pekin that only laid in a flower pot, took me ages to break that habbit!

 

[fasschicks]

She has been in nesting mode since last November (5 months). 3 times a week she will sit on the nest for 1-2 hours. There is no possible other place she is laying. They are in coop and enclosed run that is sand (7 ft. x 17 ft). There are no hiding places for them. She is definitely not egg-bound.

Wendy