What is this freeloader?

[Gray Farms]

Looks like a hatchery type New Hampshire Red to me.

 

[Birdinhand]

I would venture to say that she is behind the growth curve, maybe way low on the pecking order and not getting enough protein... or just a late bloomer. it's possible she has an issue that prevents her ovaries from working and producing eggs but I'd give her time, maybe take her out daily if you have time and give her some grower formula or chick mix, something high protein. my guess is that she is expected top out as a large bird but looks slight at this point. check her crop as a precaution to make sure there isn't a problem there, but it doesn't look like it from here. check droppings for worms. parasites can slow things down at such a young age. At some point, even down south, light may become a factor. they literally need light to pierce their skull and stimulate the photo receptors in their pituitary gland, these govern ovulation. sometimes folks put their coops where they are under a tree or the roost is super dark without morning/evening sun, they need about 14 hours of light a day to lay. some breeds are better winter layers than others but sometimes environmental or coop position factors come to play. that's my cheap cheap- two cents on the subject. in any case, I'd give her more time before swapping her out.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Production Red

 

[FeatherstoneFrm]

Thanks for your replies. She is lowest in the pecking order and always has been. Even picked on by the older EE that we recently acquired (who also isn't laying but I was assured she was before we got her two months ago).
Comet does get to pick on the littles who are only 19 weeks now but l'm sure not for long.
I won't be getting rid of her freeloader or not. Just curious.
I basically have 3 small flocks, Hank and his two best girls, Comet and Pumpkin (the EE), and the 3 littles, all together but separate.
Hopefully I'll get eggs from someone else soon. I'm beginning to think Comet and Pumpkin will be freeloaders for life, the littles may lay before them.

I will add some more protien or grower feed for her and maybe Pumpkin (EE) as well. They are probably bullied away from the food more than I realize. I do let Hank and his girls free range for a while each day so the others have some free time in the run for food and just to move around freely. I can feed them then.