Will she ever lay on a regular basis and proper eggs?

[Hells Bells]

Hi. I am looking for some more advice please?

I bought 4 hens in the middle of April, which I were told were pullets of between 18 - 20 weeks. The were 2 Bluebelles and 2 Light Sussex. The 2 Bluebelles have been laying pretty much from the start and very regularly and in the last couple of weeks, one on the Light Sussex has started laying.

However, the other Sussex has to date, laid one proper egg which was deposited on the floor of the house and the rest (about 4) have been soft shelled, with sometimes a very odd looking (egg coloured) attachment!! Do you think there is a problem or will she eventually start laying properly? Do you ever get hens that do not lay at all or have I been sold an old hen??

Thanks and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Helen

[Mo]

The soft shells could be a young hen getting into it's stride.
I don't know if pure breeds take longer to get going than hybrids.
My latest batch have been a bit slow off the mark too, but most are doing ok now, all but one who started then stopped!