NEED HELP PLEASE! Hen not Laying

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

I have a Black Sex Link hen who is 27 weeks old and not laying yet… should I give it more time or is she barren??

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Do you have a picture of her? How do her comb/wattles look (getting redder or still light pink)? How does her vent look (dry/tight or moist and 'open')? Any squatting? How does she act (besides not laying yet)? Eating and drinking ok? Alert and pecking around etc...? If she's acting ok, I'd just give it some more time.

The days are getting shorter, and every pullet is different when coming to point of lay - she may be one who waits until the days start to get longer again or she may still lay this fall/winter. (Is there a possibility that she has a hidden nest?).

Many chickens begin laying between 20-26 weeks, but there are always outliers. I had a Bielefelder that didn't start laying until 8-9 months of age (I think they're known for being "late bloomers"). Unfortunately, chickens don't give a flying-flip-jam about human statistics on when they should begin to lay eggs...

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

@ChickyCh00k

Yes I'll attach photos. I have her separated with my younger birds right now, and so far no egg. She acts totally normal tho!

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

Her comb has been like that for 3 weeks.

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

 

[ChickyCh00k]

She looks like she could be getting close (comb and face looks to be getting red). Time will tell! Have you checked her vent? That can be a good indicator.

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

She looks like she could be getting close (comb and face looks to be getting red). Time will tell! Have you checked her vent? That can be a good indicator.

Thanks!

How do I check her vent??

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Thanks!

How do I check her vent??

Pick her up so that you can get a look at her rear end. You may need to move the fluff out of the way to be able to see her vent. Just looking at it will give you some idea - if it is dry and "tight" looking vs. if it is moist and more "open". A pullet that isn't laying (or getting ready) will have a vent that kind of looks like pursed lips (), a laying bird's vent will look more open or like lips that are sticking their tongue out ()

I found this image on the web - not the best quality, but gives you a general idea:

 

[urlocalcrazychickenlady]

Pick her up so that you can get a look at her rear end. You may need to move the fluff out of the way to be able to see her vent. Just looking at it will give you some idea - if it is dry and "tight" looking vs. if it is moist and more "open". A pullet that isn't laying (or getting ready) will have a vent that kind of looks like pursed lips (), a laying bird's vent will look more open or like lips that are sticking their tongue out ()

I found this image on the web - not the best quality, but gives you a general idea:
View attachment 4233170

Ok thanks so much!

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Ok thanks so much!