Hens that never lay?

[Happy Chooks]

I went to my feed store today, and some lady brought in 4 hens to get rid of. The people who work there say they never laid, which is why she's getting rid of them. I asked how old they were, and they didn't know.

It got me wondering.........So, is it possible to have a hen that never lays?

 

[TexasVet]

It's possible if they weren't being feed enough to produce the eggs. I saw on a PBS show that underfeeding was a big problem with early pioneers, who knew nothing about the animals they had. Without enough feed, they just don't lay.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[Happy Chooks]

They were big and by no means "looked" underfed. They "appeared" healthy. (but I'm by no means an expert) I guess it's possible though, maybe they weren't fed the right food.

 

[SproutGirl]

My Mom has a RIR who she says has never laid an egg i her life. She is fed well and has a pretty good life, except that she is an only chicken. Her flock mates are a mini poodle and a cocker spaniel! Mom has never gotten a single egg out of her. I still can't help but wonder if that hen isn't just hiding the eggs somewhere. But then, my Mom's backyard isn't so huge that she wouldn't eventually stumble upon a cache of eggs!

 

[PollyWaddle]

I have a little danish brown leghorn that was sickly (saved her feathered butt 2 or 3 times) for the first year+ of her life. I thought she was a goner, but resisted "culling" her since she was such a fighter. Because she was so sickly, she didn't lay any eggs until she was over 1 year old.

She's now four years old, gorgeous, and lays 3-5 pretty little white egg a week! She's also the biggest hunter we have (lizards, snakes, whatever) -- so now I know her dietary needs are different that some of the others.

Just food for thought. Good luck!

 

[cmom]

I would think it is possible but rare.

 

[Dirt Road]

Quote:
Does the Poodle or the Cocker have a nice shiny coat????

Jim

 

[Big dreams]

Agree with post above, I would wonder about the dogs, mine would eat them no problem, shell and all.

 

[SproutGirl]

Quote:
Great question. Mom lives in CA, and I'm in MT. I'll ask!

 

[horsejody]

Maybe the hens were eating their own eggs. One of my hens used to be an egg eater, and she could eat one and leave no mess at all. Thankfully, she stopped.