- Mar 21, 2011
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So, I have a 1.5 year old australorp hen. She has never laid a normal egg; they have always been very large, usually pointy on one end, occasionally banded, or otherwise misshaped. She would lay normally about 4 times a week. She has a sparse bottom that is pretty red looking, and was pecked by another hen on her back (that hen was very aggressive and has since been rehomed) until she no longer has any feathers near where the tail feathers begin. I have put a hen saddle on her which she has worn for one month, but still no feathers have grown there. About 5 days ago, she was looking lethargic, kept going into the nesting box, until finally she laid a huge, very messy, watery egg without a shell. She felt immediately better and has been her usual chicken self except for the fact that she has not laid another egg since then (5 days!). She is pooping and does not seem to be in any discomfort. What I have done: soaked her in warm water, stuck a lubricated finger up her (could not feel any egg). Oyster shell is always available, they are fed high end organic feed, fresh water everyday, extra green treats. They (5 hens) are not overcrowded (200 square foot enclosed outside area, with a few times outside of that for supervised free range- lots of predators in the area). They are dusted for parasites monthly, plus use DE in the coop and nesting boxes. While some of the other hens were pecked on their backs, they have are all growing the feathers back. No other hen is showing any signs of illness or stress. Can a young hen stop laying for long periods of time or just stop completely? Any suggestions or info would be appreciated. I will call the traveling vet if need be, but it will cost me $100 or more, so I'd like to avoid that. THANKS TO YOU ALL!
