What a great thread to read, lol!
We were given two chickens who just had their outside feathers. After waiting MONTHS and MONTHS for them to lay, one started crowing. Eventually she started laying for us. She has a lovely temperament (particularly compared to the isa browns we bought at point of lay). Unfortunately she's not laying any more, and I don't want to keep her without getting any eggs. We need to replace her with another layer but need the coop space. She's going to retire at a friends house to live out her days (unless the fox gets her).