Will a non laying hen start laying if put with other layers

[suebeedoo]

Hi guys,

We got a new chicken yesterday. She was an only chicken that was left to wander around a garden all day on her own. Her previous owner said she was 2 1/2 years old and didnt lay eggs.

We have 3 lovely layers and am wondering (once they get used to their new sister and stop pecking her) will she follow suit and start laying herself.

Obviously I know she wont immediately, it was a tough day for her yesterday and is now bowing down and showing her respect to the most dominant hen of my small flock today so I am hoping the hen pecking will stop soon, pardon the pun, I'm sure you have heard that a million times already.

Thank you for any comments and opinions

 

[galanie]

Give her good food and enough of it, and she should lay at least some. If she's one of the types bred to lay like crazy for a couple of years then she may or may not ever lay much of anything. All you can do is give her a healthy environment and see what happens. In any event I'm sure it won't happen for a couple of weeks, until she finds her place in the flock and gets comfortable.

 

[ChicKat]

Hi guys,

We got a new chicken yesterday. She was an only chicken that was left to wander around a garden all day on her own. Her previous owner said she was 2 1/2 years old and didnt lay eggs.

We have 3 lovely layers and am wondering (once they get used to their new sister and stop pecking her) will she follow suit and start laying herself.

Obviously I know she wont immediately, it was a tough day for her yesterday and is now bowing down and showing her respect to the most dominant hen of my small flock today so I am hoping the hen pecking will stop soon, pardon the pun, I'm sure you have heard that a million times already.

Thank you for any comments and opinions

Hi Suebeedoo
Welcome to the forum. You may want to diagnose WHY the hen isn't laying. It could be that she is past her laying time for her breed, and in that case she won't lay. It could be that she may have a parasite infestation, and if that were to be the case, she could infect your other hens. Depending on the climate where you live etc., you may want to worm your new chicken. If she was lacking in nutrition, then if you provide her with the feed that your already laying hens eat, she may follow suit once she settles in.

Generally it is a good idea to put a new chicken in 'quarantine' for about 4-weeks before combining with an existing flock. It may also be easier to introduce a chicken slowly--- easier on the chicken that is---- In this case, since your new hen is with your old hens.... I hope all will go well for you chickens, and that she begins to lay soon.