Hen not laying

[Luke Mac Donald]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could help here. This hen does not lay, never did since I had it (2 weeks). Her comb looks pale compared to the ones who are laying. Could she be still to young? Will her comb get redder with age? Or is she just unhealthy right now?

Thanks

 

[chicmom]

Hi! Her comb does look pale. I've noticed, with hens I've had, that their comb and waddles do become a brighter red when they're getting ready to begin laying eggs. Are these hens all the same age?

 

[famerzellman]

Does she squat down when you approach her? My first batch is the same as you have! They got red combs and started squatting thinking I was a rooster when they were laying

 

[Luke Mac Donald]

Hi! Her comb does look pale. I've noticed, with hens I've had, that their comb and waddles do become a brighter red when they're getting ready to begin laying eggs. Are these hens all the same age?

I got four hens and they were between the ages off 5-8 months. Two are laying and they look very healthy. The other two look have combs like this. The hen who I have a pic up off being the worst

 

[Luke Mac Donald]

Does she squat down when you approach her? My first batch is the same as you have! They got red combs and started squatting thinking I was a rooster when they were laying

I could try picking here up, what would that mean if she just squats and doesn't run away like the rest?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

"Between 5 and 8 months" leads me to suspect they are closer to 5 and these two are just maturing a little slower

 

[Luke Mac Donald]

"Between 5 and 8 months" leads me to suspect they are closer to 5 and these two are just maturing a little slower

Ok thanks, that is what I was hoping to here.

 

[Luke Mac Donald]

"Between 5 and 8 months" leads me to suspect they are closer to 5 and these two are just maturing a little slower

Would it be normal if this hens feathers were coming out too? Thanks

 

[famerzellman]

I could try picking here up, what would that mean if she just squats and doesn't run away like the rest?

Exactly!! mine started squatting like I was the rooster that's how I knew which ones were laying and which ones took a little longer. One of mine it took about 8months before she started laying! She was a total late bloomer!

 

[famerzellman]

Have a question for you too did you raise these birds from chicks or did you purchase them this size? Reason for asking there's been a lot of people who claim they are younger birds when the reason they sold them is because they stopped laying. You can tell if this is the case by checking their legs if they are pale that's a good sign if they are yellow they either stopped laying or they haven't started yet. As for the feathers falling out it could mean the bird is in molt which could mean why she's not laying or she could have mites. I would check her feathers and see if you see any creepy crawlers