Laying ppl. a.

[f. LAY v.¹ + -ING².] That lays: chiefly said of hens.

1591.  Percivall, Sp. Dict., Ponedera gallina, a laying hen.

1884.  E. P. Roe, Nat. Ser. Story, ii. in Harper’s Mag., Jan., 288/2. I can keep my laying hens warm even in zero weather.