the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Phasianidae (pheasants, etc.) > hen or cock > [adjective] > of or like a hen > laying or about to lay (3)
That lays: chiefly said of hens.
Full of eggs, abounding in eggs. Also spec., as in quot. 1901.
the stage of a hen's life cycle at which it is able to begin laying eggs (chiefly attributive).