Hopeless but still hoping for any suggestions... How to help an old hen lay.

[VA Lady]

Wow!  She is stunningly beautiful. She's barred, but is she also carrying mottling?  (as in from a Speckled Sussex or similar?)

There's really no telling what you'll get.  Too many variables to know for sure, but male chicks will barred.  Female chicks have a 50-50 chance depending on whether the sire is homo or hetero for barring.  (B/B or B/b)  At least that how I understand it.  Some could be goldeny barred like your little lady above.

I'm not sure how you'd describe her patterns... I think for just a little mixed up bird she's pretty though. This is a pic of her from this morning: