Internal laying occurs when an undeveloped egg (without shell) gets released and misses the oviduct. The egg material goes into the abdominal cavity and is partially reabsorbed. If it happens repeatedly the belly gets big. The condition is also called egg yolk peritonitis. Many hens get an internal infection that kills them. For some reason Colette has not gotten an infection, but her belly has gotten so big that it sparsely feathered, and the other hens would peck her bare skin. That is the original reason that I removed her from the coop, but the low light does prevent her from hopefully filling up her belly with more egg material. She still has an appetite for her regular feed and loves to have assorted greens for a treat. She also enjoys going out in the late afternoon or evening to free range under supervision with her flock and do some sand bathing.