2 year old Hen- Only laid six eggs this year.... Help!

[Peace Love Hens]

Hi!
I really need some advice on how to handle this situation. I have a two-year-old RIR hen, named Rubi, who was a very proficient layer. Last year, she was our best layer and we could expect about six to seven eggs a week from her. But this year, all of that changed. She has only laid a total of six eggs this year, two of which have had shells that are "balloon-like" and she recently got much heavier. Her abdominal area has swelled, a symptom that even my worst layer does not have. She has tried to lay each day with no success. Today she was using her wings to move around the nest, which concerned me a bit.

I have only been raising chickens for two years, so I'm no expert. I am hoping that somebody may have some suggestions? Rubi has plenty of protein, mealworms, sardines, bugs and grubs as well as fresh greens every day and regular layer feed. We recently gave our chickens a calcium overload, which they all ate with great gusto. It consisted of a mash of pumpkin puree, mealworms and eggshells and she did not lay. Everyone else did, however. I am planning to take her to the vet, but I'd like to know what I can do for her and some info on what might be ailing her.

 

[Parront]

Sounds like she is laying internally. Not much the vet can do, pretty expensive, too. Most people would cull her before she dies.

 

[Peace Love Hens]

OK. Thanks for the quick reply! I am kind of against putting her down, she does not seem to be suffering.

Sounds like she is laying internally. Not much the vet can do, pretty expensive, too. Most people would cull her before she dies.

 

[Parront]

OK. Thanks for the quick reply! I am kind of against putting her down, she does not seem to be suffering.

I understand -- they get to be great pets. There are lots of threads if you search the term "internal layer". Sorry for the bad news. Best of luck.

 

[Peace Love Hens]

Thanks. I will do that!

I understand -- they get to be great pets. There are lots of threads if you search the term "internal layer". Sorry for the bad news. Best of luck.

 

[Parront]

Today she was using her wings to move around the nest, which concerned me a bit.

This is what made me think she was suffering. They do not show pain the way we do. They try to be as normal as possible until they are almost dead.

 

[SeaPolka]

If she is internally laying then those hens are usually in some sort of pain and discomfort, especially if the eggs start building up. You should compare symptoms and how long she could've been doing this for

 

[Peace Love Hens]

Some info: She has been in this predicament for about a year. January, we got around ten-ish eggs from her and February, only about three. It has been dwindling ever since and for the past four months; no eggs from her. She has never been able to fly up to roost, instead, she tends to sit in a wooden box that was left over from our nest boxes. We lift her up to the roost at night. Do you think that that hurts her? If so, how can we get her to roost? I'll send pics of everything ASAP.

If she is internally laying then those hens are usually in some sort of pain and discomfort, especially if the eggs start building up. You should compare symptoms and how long she could've been doing this for

 

[Peace Love Hens]

This is what made me think she was suffering. They do not show pain the way we do. They try to be as normal as possible until they are almost dead.

Great to know. Is it worth bringing her in to see the vet?

 

[SeaPolka]

Is her belly swollen? Does she try to lay at all?

I've read vets can spay hens so they don't lay but I'm guessing that's going to be very costly. Anything is worth a try. I'm not an expert on this but if she was mine and I suspected internal laying I'd pay vets fees