vka2b
In the Brooder
- Apr 25, 2016
- 16
- 14
- 47
I realize that this is a very common question on this forum, but I swear I am not just being impatient...I am legitimately seeking advice on whether folks thing something might be wrong.
I have 4 hens (1 Production Red, 1 Black Austrolorpe, and 2 Golden Comets). The first two have been laying for over a year. The Golden Comets are new -- just hatched in early spring (at the same time).
One of the Golden Comets has been laying for over a month -- she lays a big, dark brown, thick shelled, bright orange-yolked, beautiful and healthy looking egg almost consistently every single morning. The other one (like I said, born on the same day) has produced nothing. A few notes (as I know these are the questions folks will ask):
1.) Absolutely no other signs of distress -- she eats/drinks normally, poops normally, clear eyes, red comb/wattle, nice feathers, acts like a normal chicken, etc.
2.) These are free-ranged chickens, and I feed a high-quality organic layer feed (started off with non-layer feed when they were younger) that I feed all my chickens who are laying well like I said. They always have access to fresh water, well-kept nesting boxes, etc.
3.) She walks totally normally, so I don't think she is egg-bound or anything. I've also taken a look, and I don't see anything stuck.
4.) It isn't cold here yet, so it's not a matter of her "coming of age" during the Winter months when production would be low anyway.
5.) This one makes me think it is maturity -- the other one (who is laying) does her submissive squat when you get near her, and this one doesn't at all...also, her comb isn't as big (although her body is larger). However, what makes me think it's not age is that she is almost 8 months old at this point, and born on the same day as the other! I know that all breeds are different, but she is my 5th Golden Comet, and ALL of them started laying at right around 5 months old on the dot. I don't think this is a "watched hen never lays" scenario -- she legitimately seems delayed! And yes, she is a hen, not a rooster.
Is there anything else anybody can think of here? Is it possible to have a hen that just will never lay for some reason? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
I have 4 hens (1 Production Red, 1 Black Austrolorpe, and 2 Golden Comets). The first two have been laying for over a year. The Golden Comets are new -- just hatched in early spring (at the same time).
One of the Golden Comets has been laying for over a month -- she lays a big, dark brown, thick shelled, bright orange-yolked, beautiful and healthy looking egg almost consistently every single morning. The other one (like I said, born on the same day) has produced nothing. A few notes (as I know these are the questions folks will ask):
1.) Absolutely no other signs of distress -- she eats/drinks normally, poops normally, clear eyes, red comb/wattle, nice feathers, acts like a normal chicken, etc.
2.) These are free-ranged chickens, and I feed a high-quality organic layer feed (started off with non-layer feed when they were younger) that I feed all my chickens who are laying well like I said. They always have access to fresh water, well-kept nesting boxes, etc.
3.) She walks totally normally, so I don't think she is egg-bound or anything. I've also taken a look, and I don't see anything stuck.
4.) It isn't cold here yet, so it's not a matter of her "coming of age" during the Winter months when production would be low anyway.
5.) This one makes me think it is maturity -- the other one (who is laying) does her submissive squat when you get near her, and this one doesn't at all...also, her comb isn't as big (although her body is larger). However, what makes me think it's not age is that she is almost 8 months old at this point, and born on the same day as the other! I know that all breeds are different, but she is my 5th Golden Comet, and ALL of them started laying at right around 5 months old on the dot. I don't think this is a "watched hen never lays" scenario -- she legitimately seems delayed! And yes, she is a hen, not a rooster.
Is there anything else anybody can think of here? Is it possible to have a hen that just will never lay for some reason? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
