Last summer, I bought 3 Sex links from a local guy. Other than having really dirty butts when we got them, they have been fine. He didn't know how old they were, but Big Bertha lays some super large eggs! I'm guessing she is probably 5 or so, judging from the egg size, but I could be way off. Recently, I noticed her eggs were weird, almost as if they had a shell and another shell swirled around it. They have been very bumpy. In the last two weeks or so, I've noticed she has been hiding in the next box(the favorite box, of course). When she comes out, the other chickens(we have 5 RIR in addition to the SL) will not let her eat or drink. Today, most of her comb was missing, and the tips of what is left are black. Is this the end of life for Bertha? I've been going out every couple of hours to allow her to eat and drink, but something just seems off. She and the other old girls(Maude and Betsy) are now in my sunroom. I'm keeping it about 45 degrees and they have food and water. Should I give Bertha a humane ending or is there something I can do? I figured the other chickens were trying to cull her, but I cant let her go out in pain like that. Any help is appreciated!
