Probably a dud?

Rayasun

In the Brooder
Oct 15, 2017
25
25
49
I have eleven hens currently. Out of the eleven ten are laying like champs. I get a minimum of six eggs and a max of ten eggs a day(even in this gross weather). My gray Orpington, I believe, is a dud. She laid one soft shelled egg about a month ago and hasn't laid since. She acts fine, eating, drinking, socialising, poops look healthy. She doesn't even try to get in the nest boxes and shows no interest. Can I assume she's just a little dud freeloader?
 
I got a set of 5 chickens this past april- so about the same age as yours. 4 of the 5 started laying this fall, but the fifth didn't start laying until two weeks ago. Sometimes they're just slow to mature.
 
Pullets can stop and start in their production. I doubt she will ever be a great layer because she is not really bred for that, but there is every chance that she will come good as the days lengthen and spring approaches and make a contribution to her keep.
 
I've been keeping a close eye on her. After the soft shelled egg even more so. She's not straining or showing any of the normal "egg" behaviors like the other girls. I was looking into lash eggs but she's not showing signs of illness. She's always been an odd bird so I'm leaning more towards dud.
 

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