I think my chicken is an internal layer and I want your input.

[omeomy07]

So, I've been reading up on internal laying the past couple of days and I think one of my hens might be an internal layer. She was purchased at an Ace Hardware, which I believe sources their birds from Meyer Hatchery. I know it's a hatchery, not a breeder. Anyway...

She hasn't laid an egg in a couple of months but I originally though she was just stopping because she was a really good layer. However, she still goes to the nesting box every few days. She's about 18 months old, rainbow layer breed. I think it's a rhode island red crossed with whatever.

She got attacked by a dog over a year ago and we found her in the middle of the road, but that was before she started laying. She was chased by a different dog early this spring because she was already slow, but she was still laying then. She's been limping/waddling for several months. She used to roost, but she doesn't anymore- she just sleeps on the coop floor. She can't get up and over the 4 inch doorway to get out of the run when I let everyone free range- she just waits there for my husband or I to pick her up. But, she runs sort of fast (but not as fast as the others) to get treats or be let out.

Her booty is red under her vent. It looks very irritated as if something is getting to her, and she's plucked her butt fluff out. I tried garlic water and that seemed to kind of temporarily help the irritation, but I never SAW any mites/lice/eggs on her anywhere.

She's always been noisey, even when she was laying. But now, if her flock kinda leaves her in the run/alone in another spot she'll yell/do an egg song until someone comes to her.

Sorry if this is all over the place.

Before I slaughter, I want to be certain that there's nothing I can do for her. I want to know what everyone thinks- if she's laying internally/has cancer or something. I know there's no cure for internal laying, and if caught super early she could have maybe gotten penicillin but it's past that point if that's what it is.

She's my husband's favorite chicken since he's had so much contact with her, having to lift and carry her so much lately. Also, she'll be my first slaughter so I want to be confident that I'm not making her suffer any longer than I need to, but also that it REALLY needs to be done.

TLDR: Do you think she's an internal layer/has cancer?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

There is no way to know for sure except to look after culling or butchering. Generally a hen that is internally laying will stand more upright like a penguin. Here bottom often feels hard or firm, sometimes watery.

Many hybrid layers will burn out and quit laying completely after a season or two. The few I tried didn't live long lives.

Many times higher production hens need more protein than a layer ration. They can develop deficiencies, especially after their first molt if you didn't switch to a higher protein feed during it.

I can't say whether it's best to butcher or not, that's a personal decision, nor can I say whether it's safe to eat her.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have had hens like this. It is common in large flocks, and I have had various hens have many different reproductive disorders. One hen got attacked by a dog similar to yours, and stopped laying for 5 months. Then when she started again after recovering and molting, she alsways laid a thin shelled or shell-less egg which got broken. She died of reproductive problems about a year and a half later.

I tend to let them be, try to make them comfortable, help them off the roost or out of the coop. I give them foods they like, and they usually let me know when the time comes. Some just die, and some may start to get pecked by the other chickens, so I put them down.
One thing that is good to do to learn about what is going on, is to do a necropsy after death. Look at the abdomen, the organs, and take pictures. A lot of people here can help you decide what the problem might have been by looking at necropsy photos. Here is some reading about various reproductive disorders:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-reproductive-system/internal-layer-poultry
http://www.scoopfromthecoop.com/laying-issues-internal-layers-and-peritonitis/

 

[omeomy07]

Hmm, aside from their baby (3 week?) molt, they haven't molted. I live in NW Georgia, zone 7b if that helps give an idea of climate. One I got in that group is just now starting to for the first time around her neck and head. I have them on a 17% layer feed, so I can supplement with something when they can't free range. I've given them kefir which they LOVE and I'd like to give mealworms, but I'd prefer they be live rather than dried.

I don't see her standing upright like a penguin. I felt her belly and it didn't seem swollen. She is a BIG hen, though. I haven't weighed her but she's definitely over 5 pounds.

I'm home all the time so I can go and constantly check on her BUT I can't let everyone free range unless I'm outside the whole time because of the dog problem.

If/when I do slaughter, I don't plan to eat her because I'm concerned with the presence of bacteria possible from internal laying.

I think her quality of life at this point is good. I will make it better, though. I just don't want to be wimpy when the time really does come.

 

[ChickNanny13]