Poor layer?

[Soylent Chick]

I hatched (what I guess is) an Orpington in January 2015. She's a pretty bird, loves to explore in the yard, and she's curious. The only problem is that she doesn't lay much. I would say she's laid about 20 eggs total. She's housed with four other hens (reds and Australorps that she was raised with) that regularly lay. Her comb is pink most of the time, not blazing red like the others. They all get yard time on the weekends (and early evenings when it was still light out when I got home). There has not been any secret nests in the yard.

What could be wrong? I didn't expect much from her this winter but I'd like to know what I can do for the coming months.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Have you evaluated her for the presence of internal or external parasites (health of other birds in the flock not withstanding)? Since you are not certain of her breed, identifying that may help to better access expected productivity - perhaps post some photos of her? Was she hatched with other chicks and, if so, how did she compare in vitality, growth, etc. as a chick? Where does she fall in the pecking order of her group? When you pick her up and handle her what is her body condition - especially in comparison to the others.
I have one (Mrs. Patmore) in my flock who has never been a productive bird. She has always been smaller than the others (not bantam, just smaller and less robust) and I honestly don't think she has ever laid an egg. There isn't anything "wrong" with her, she's just not quite right, lol.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Some hens are just poor layers, usually due to genetics. Also I have read that chicks hatched during certain months where the daylight is increasing when they reach sexual maturity can mess them up, it's best to raise them so they mature from June to November.

 

[Soylent Chick]

Her poop is appears to be wormfree and I haven't seen anything on her skin/feathers. She was hatched with her current coopmates and there didn't seem to be any noticeable differences in her growth.

Her keel feels solid, the muscle filled out but not fat. She weighs 6 lbs.

She's at the bottom of the pecking order though I'm not certain. Last one to pick at treats but the first one to roost and first one to enter the yard.

Thank you for your time and expertise!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

She's a very nice looking hen, you should see more eggs from her in the coming months, spring is on it's way, eventually.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Did you you wait to start feeding them layer feed until they are at least 4-5 months old cause if you don't that could possibly cause her internal organs and stuff from not forming right so could that be why she may not lay so often correct me if I'm wrong but anyway hope this helps hope you find out what's wrong with this pretty little girl

 

[Soylent Chick]

I didn't use layer feed until well after the other hens were laying. I offered them crushed oyster shells on the side until then.

It does make me wonder if I should switch to an all-flock type feed since Buff isn't laying but still eats with the others.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

You could try it you could also maybe give her some vita mineral supplement