rescue hen - not laying eggs

[McGoo]

I got a rescue hen about 6 mos ago (long story about her being found in a dumpster with rope on her legs). She's a redstar and she's now fully blended into my flock - toward the lower half of the pecking order, though holds her own.

So the Roo doesn't like her - and I think it's because she's not fertile. Her legs are still yellowish and she doesn't appear to be very old, though definitely well within the range to lay eggs. And that is what she doesn't do. Never laid an egg that I know of. I know this because I had her separated initially and now because she never goes in the coop/nesting box area. Have you ever heard of a hen not laying eggs?

 

[Judy]

Sure. She may have some problem with her egg laying machinery and can't, or she may be older than you think. Red Stars don't lay long as a rule. Judging from how you found her, I'd say she hadn't been laying before, either.

How awful for her, and how good of you to give her a good home and some pleasant months. Perhaps one day she will start for you.

 

[Carrie Lynn]

You are wonderful for taking her in, perhaps come spring she'll "thank you" with some eggs.
Hope she can stay whether she lays or not

it sounds like she deserves a good home.

 

[Baralak]

Quote:
Sometimes I just hate people! Thank goodness for people like you!

 

[axion_lotus]

I agree, Baralak. Some people can be so awful.

I was doing some reading on rescue hens, and sometimes when chickens are "relocated" to their forever-homes, sometimes it takes them quite awhile to get readjusted into a normal routine. So be patient, and hopefully your girl will be earning her keep in no time!

 

[Pinky]

Quote:
This is what I was thinking too. Give her some more time and she may surprise you

 

[Egglad]

We adopted two bantams mid-September, one whom was supposedly laying before we took her, the other who stopped laying when previous owner got rid of the rest of his full-sized layers. We waited, and waited, for these two to adjust to being with us, and then to being with our 8 full-sized girls (who hadn't started laying their own yet). Finally in January the big girls started laying and lo and behold the bantams started laying consistently shortly after. They are strange though, they won't lay in the nest boxes, they either lay from the top of the roost or squeeze down between it and the coop wall and lay in the bedding there. Give them time, they may surprise you. I was about to write these two off as freeloaders and just figure we were giving them a good home when they pleasantly surprised us. Now I'm saving a bunch of them up in the fridge to 'age' them so they hard boil & peel easier with plans of pickling them.

 

[McGoo]

Thanks for your advice and positive attitudes. I will certainly give her plenty of time... in fact I don't plan to get rid of her; my dog and cat don't lay eggs

She's a sweet little gal and fitting in with the hens quite well. If she does eventually lay an egg - I'll let you all know.

 

[Dray67]

I bet the longer warmer days of spring will bring you a surprise. You have only had her since it has been could and dark. The mistreatment and the relocation and probably a molt have all help her back. She might surprise you.
Dave

 

[nurseronda]

I have a white leg horn hen 14 months old which is obtained about a month ago. The previous owner said she was a good layer. She laid good for me too until about 2 wks ago she just stopped. She acts normal, looks normal. Abdomen seems a little puffy, but not hard, no masses. She's eating and drinking fine. Any suggestions from anyone out there? How long could she be internally laying before she starts acting sick?