Internal layer *graphic*

[Eagle2026]

I'll keep a lookout, thanks for the headsup.

To bad you had to go through it so we don't have too.

 

[purpletree23]

Thank you for sharing. We are here to learn and pass on that knowledge. So sorry for your loss.

 

[gckiddhouse]

Tori, was this hen laying at all? Did she lay for a while and then stop? We had one that we suspected was an internal layer because she didn't lay eggs, but we could never find a mass and she was recently taken by a coyote, so we will never know. She did lay all of about 3 eggs in her year with us, but mostly she just entered the nesting boxes and went through the motions, but no egg. Just wondering what your hen's laying behavior was prior to her problems.

Thanks for sharing. Sorry about your hen.

 

[KatieH]

Oh, poor girl

I didn't know that could happen, I have so much to learn...

 

[chickerdoodle]

So sorry about your hen. I really hope I don't have to deal with this type of problem--it is heartbreaking.

Thanks for sharing such a difficult thing.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Honestly, I don't know.

She was a rescue hen that we got with a bunch of other birds around New Years... there are so many birds in there now I don't know who's laying and who isn't. But judging by the size, I'm guessing she hadn't been laying any for a while.

Cyn's right... you do get to recognize the symptoms easily after the first few times.

It's never easy for me to take a life. Even though I knew what it was, deep down I kept hoping that something would change, but sooner or later you just have to do it. All you can do is make sure they don't suffer during the process. Oddly, I think she knew what was coming down... maybe it's my imagination, but she seemed relieved.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Yep... I probably learned the symptoms from your sharing...

I've learned so much from you! Since I hadn't had this girl long, I don't know how long she had been that way. I do know that the previous owner had them on lights and a heated barn, though. I give light only to simulate a normal day, since, as you know, we only get about 5 hours of daylight at the peak of winter if we're lucky. But all the other girls have certainly taken a break from laying this winter... 5 eggs a day from 70+ hens??

I suppose I've been lucky. She's only the third in 3 years, though I need to go around and feel up the other girls just to be sure.