Are some hens barren?

[frias]

My ex-batts lay but my one and only Welsummers is 31 weeks old now and shows no sign of wanting to lay. It would be just my luck to get 3 boys I couldn't keep and 1 girl that didn't lay from my hatch!

[Suechooks]

Maybe she's been in touch with Bephlams Faverolles! Seem to remember they were 36 weeks before they started? she's probably enjoying being the baby!

[davefromthechipie]

only been keeping/hatching chickens for the past 2 years or so , but at 31 weeks old at this time of year not laying is normal so don't worry should be laying by april

[dexterdoglancashire]

I didnt expect my girls to be laying until the spring, longer daylight hours and all that. Any eggs I do get (perhaps one a day, maybe two) are bonuses methinks. Roll on spring!

[mr darcy]

as to some hens being barren, they say here in france that some hens don't ever lay,they are sterile they are for eating. I thought this was very odd, but is it true, don't all females lay?

[RichmondHens]

Welsummers seem to be fair weather layers. I find they only lay for about 6 months. Beautiful eggs and plenty of them when they come, but their "season" is short - generally March - September. My youngsters from last year's hatchings are now in lay, but the older Wellies have yet to perform. All the other breeds though are going great guns. I think there has been a delay generally this year because of the awful weather.

I'm not sure about hens being barren as such but I guess there must be ones that never produce an egg, in the same way that there are people who cannot have children. Some don't lay because of infections picked up as chicks which affect the reproductive system. I would imagine though Frias that your Wellie is just a fair weather girl, like mine, and she will start up soon.

[its hilly]

I hatched some hybrids and Orpingtons in June last year, they weren't old enough to come into lay before winter set in, so are just now starting to lay...at 37 wks. And talking to some other keepers round here some have laying hens, others havent started yet.

[frias]

Thanks all. Originally I did think it might be March/April before she laid but you know how you start thinking....... not enough to worry about obviously! Rose is bigger than the ex-batts but not as bright as they are. If I lob worms at them she never gets one. I have to hand it to her personally. When I walk out of the back door they all race towards me in case I have a tasty morsel but Rose is always at the back. The others are not mean to her but she is not one of 'them'. Often perching in the run (as she did with her brothers) whilst the ex-batts are digging up the lawn. I've tried to find someone with some Wellies for sale so I could get her a couple of friends but there's no-one around here with any. Perhaps she'll become more like one of the flock if/when she starts laying.