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Thanks so much for the information. Unfortunately she's going downhill fast so I will do what I can for her but suspect I'll need to put her down soon.

Yes that exactly it - I'm just wondering if this is normal or there's something else amiss, and also whether there's a risk of anything infectious that may put the chicks at risk when I move them into the area. I am seriously considering moving to heritage breeds if I can find a source - not...

I've mostly had RIR crosses - I've bought from two local breeders in the past. They basically lay non-stop for about 18 months, then slow down and stop laying very rapidly. And then a year to 18 months later I lose them.

Thanks very much for your reply - I just cleaned out the coop and found a lash egg, so I suspect you are right about salpingitis. I wish hybrids weren't bred for such ferocious egg production - I'd much rather they lived longer and laid less! Poor girl.

Sorry, I forgot to add - I have a run that’s 6 feet x 12 feet and during the day the chickens can also roam in an area that’s about three times the size of the run. The run has wood chippings in it, and the larger area is bare soil.

So I currently have two hybrid pullets (and some chicks in the house!) One of the girls is about three and a half and I think she's on her way out - she's slow, is retaining water around her abdomen, has a reduced appetite and has green diarrhoea. This is the way my hens typically (not always...