Is this internal laying?

[speckledhen]

I would imagine it would be expensive, as would the hysterectomy by a vet. Most people can't or don't feel that they want to spend that type of money on a chicken, even if it's a pet, but yes, I've heard of that.

 

[edselpdx]

Quote:
Oh, I agree that this isn't for anyone trying to keep their chicken-farming financially viable in any way, but since there was discussion of chicken hysterectomies, I thought I'd add it. Not sure I would chose either option, but I haven't been faced with the choice in my little backyard flock.

 

[speckledhen]

Of my ten original hatchery girls, eight have died from it and one is on her way out now. The remaining one, a Buff Orpington, is the only one who ever went broody (twice), hence took extended breaks from laying. She is no longer laying, but I'm not sure there is anything wrong with her now, either. She is almost six years old. Had another one die from egg peritonitis who was just over a year old, also a hatchery hen, so as you can see, it wouldn't be feasible to treat all those with hormone therapy or hysterectomy. Sad fact is that hens are the only animal that develops spontaneous ovarian cancers just like human women, so they already are set up for a malfunction like this, poor things.