Did my 1.5yr old JUST start laying??

[Bek]

Could this actually be what's happening?!? Anyone with past experience or knowledge on this topic, I'd love to hear from you!

After finding 5 eggs yesterday and only having 4 laying hens, I immediately did a vent check on my non-layer, Althea.
(Also, keeping in mind that I am diligent in my daily coop/run care and highly highly highly doubt this additional egg was from a previous day)

Althea is my rooster-like girl, who is twice the size of the rest of her flock of 4 production red hens. She doesn't squat or lay or want anything to do with human interaction; rather, she acts like the big boss since we have no rooster. We we're actually just getting ready to graduate her to our dinner table.
I had learned earlier this year about vents being round for a non-layer and elliptical in shape for layers, so I checked Althea's, and it was as I has suspected - round. Until last night.

After putting them in the run this morning, Althea immediately took to the nesting box. I have my coffee to keep me company while popping in to see if there's any news, but man is it a cold one today (I'm feeling 22.... degrees )

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

This was her first egg?

 

[Bek]

This was her first egg?

That's what I'm wondering.
I adopted them this summer, and deduced that Althea was in fact not laying. The extra egg plus her no longer round vent has me perplexed for sure

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Maybe she had a hormone imbalance.

 

[aart]

That's what I'm wondering.
I adopted them this summer, and deduced that Althea was in fact not laying. The extra egg plus her no longer round vent has me perplexed for sure

Sure it's possible.
When exactly did you get the birds?
Are they all the same age....are you sure of their ages?
Moving stress, followed by possibly molting, and now she laying.
Odd time of year... but if you've checked her vent and pelvic points, and her comb has plumped and turned redder...and yo saw her in nest and have an 'extra' egg.
Well, then, I guess it's so!