purchased barred rock hen last weekend...

[RIRSNCHICKENJOE]

but she hasn't laid anything...

we also purchase three ameraucana babies..probably 3 months old. She is acting like a mama hen to those babies. It is really sweet. Could this be why she isn't laying??? Or maybe she is too old to lay? I think she is beautiful and plan on keeping her with or without the eggs.

Thanks!!!

 

[Shesapip]

When I purchased my four adult hens, one of which was a Barred Rock, I was advised that it would be two to three weeks before they got over the upset of the move and began laying. I would give her a little more time. I think it took Bossie a little under two weeks to start laying.

I must say, I really appreciate my Barred Rock. Since she arrived, she has taken charge of the flock in the nicest way. She is confident and curious and not at all mean.

She seems to be a bit broody now that spring is here and is not laying well. I plan to put her to work on some fertile eggs, since she doesn't want to do the job I got her for.

I don't know if all Barred Rocks lay similar eggs, but my girl's eggs are a light to medium brown with brown freckles at the wide end.

I'm glad you'll keep her around no matter what.

 

[sparkles2307]

Ugh really? Our barred rocks were always so dang mean, and we handled them a lot as chicks! I was a little upset that we got SO MANY barred rock roos in the package deal that we got from Cackle, just because I was so turned off to the breed as a child. Now seeing this tho, is it NORMAL for a BR hen to be nice, or are they usually kind of bossy and mean bullies? Our BR cockerel chicks are only 3 weeks old and pick on everyone else!

As for the laying bit, I agree she needs more time to get her rhythm back after being moved.

 

[Ravenseye]

My BR rules the roost. She's the most "assertive" of my hens. Not to the point of being unbearable, but if there's a squabble, she's the reason behind it!

 

[ChooksChick]

My BR are about a year old and are lap dogs with feathers! They will come to anyone and want to be held and loved all day long. I have a broody sitting on eggs, and another that looks like she'll go that way any second. I hope so, since the eggs under the one got set 4 days apart...I might end up with a bra full of eggs for a few days.

I get 5-6 eggs out of each of mine a week (until the broodiness, anyway) and love all 6 of them silly! My kids carry them around and try to teach them tricks...I won't go so far as to say they learn any.

 

[australorpchick]

Both of my BR's are more social than the rest of my flock. They tend to stick closer to us than the others do. Chickchick is our most docile chicken. We had her at our house for 2 months, so that could have done it. Right now she's keeping company with our broodie silkie. She's smart enough not to be right next to the broodie, but stays within a few feet of her. I think she thinks she's the chicken midwife.

 

[speckledhen]

BRs are my favorite breed. They are curious, friendly, observant and terrific layers to boot. They rival any RIR I've ever had. I'm very partial to BR roosters, too.
When they are moved, sometimes it takes a month or so for them to start back laying. Then sometimes, they don't skip a beat, like when I sold six of my BR hens to lockedhearts, LOL.

 

[RIRSNCHICKENJOE]

well thank you! I am very new to this and still learning. She seems pretty skittish right now. Not very trusting of me, but I am getting her to at least eat the food I toss in her direction. As for bossiness...my pullets boss her around! She is bigger than they are...but they think they rule the roost. LOL We don't have a name for her yet...but I am sure one will come. We will be patient with her.