Hen that won’t lay

[Fulufalump]

Hi all.

I have a 1 year old Wyandotte that seems to have no interest at all in laying and I’m not sure why. I got her from a friend when she was still a pullet but all of her siblings have been laying for months. My other hens(Orpingtons and wyandottes) lay consistently and all do the naughty squats when I walk past. They are the same age.

Any ideas on what could be going on? Picture below is of her. 99% sure it’s a her anyway

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Not every hen squats for people. Most of mine won't

 

[HollowOfWisps]

How do you know that she isn’t laying? Is it only because she doesn’t squat? If it is only because of the squatting that you think she isn’t laying many hens don’t squat for humans.

 

[nuthatched]

How have you confirmed she's not laying? Have you done a pelvis check?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Yes, that is a hen.

All of the others have made good points. Why are you so sure she is not laying?

I agree with the pelvis check. If a hen is laying eggs her vent will be soft, damp, and pink. Is she is not laying her vent will be tight and dry. The difference is obvious. Compare her vent with some of the others. You will be able to tell if she is not laying.

Not every hen lays an egg every day. You can try isolating her in a cage for a few days to see if she lays an egg if you don't want to do the vent check.

Are you north or south of the equator? The seasons may have a part in why she is not laying right now if she is not.

There could be other reasons if she is not laying right now but some hens never do lay eggs. You may need to decide if you want to keep her or not.

 

[Fulufalump]

Thanks for all the replies. I’ll break down my answers

I have a very small flock of 4 and spend most of my weekends in the backyard with them. My other 3 will up and leave me when they go lay eggs then sing as loud as they can. I’ve never got more than the 3 eggs a day with the others being very proud of themselves when they lay.


I’ve also never seen this hen go into the nesting box(always roosting) regardless of if I check them first thing in the morning or late at night.

I am south of the equator in Australia currently on the tail end of spring.

I could only fit one finger between her pelvic bones but could do a couple with my others.

If she never lays it won’t bother me, they are pets more than anything and I enjoy the company gardening.

If anyone has any other advice I’ll see but I may just have a non laying hen it seems. Thank you again to everyone!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I could only fit one finger between her pelvic bones but could do a couple with my others.

If that's the case then yes it sounds like she's not laying. It is possible to have a hen that doesn't lay (I have a 4 year old hen that either hasn't laid or has laid a max of twice ever) and it really shouldn't impact her health or longevity.