Trouble with hen!?

[theoldchick]

What a learning experience for everyone.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

I actually thought so too. I'm glad we just figured it all out what was wrong with her. The worse part is when something happens to them is not know what's going on or why! I can't stand that.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Yes, thanks for all the knowledge all knowledgeable ones.LOL.

I am sorry for your loss

and that your hen wasn't to happy at the end but at least you know what you had and don't have to worry if you have a disease that could kill your other hens etc.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

A big RIGHT!!!

 

[speckledhen]

Definitely looks like cancer. What has happened here is the older ones, those over 4 years old, had cancer with minor signs of internal laying. The younger ones died specifically from internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis with no discernible signs of cancer.

I've had only one breeder quality type hen have this type ailment and she's been fighting it for a year now. They rarely last that long with this stuff as she has, but overall, the good quality genetics seem to keep me from having to deal with this over having just hatchery stock. Hatchery stock has its place, but you really need to get the breeds that are not the most common ones the feed stores sell or you'll be dealing with internal laying over and over again. My hatchery Brahmas have had the longest lives of all the hatchery hens I've owned. One died at 5 1/2 years from cancer, but the other is over 6 1/2 and still seems in good health, though she has not laid in over a year. She could have cancer growing, but I'd say she's lived a very long life for a hatchery hen already.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Definitely looks like cancer. What has happened here is the older ones, those over 4 years old, had cancer with minor signs of internal laying. The younger ones died specifically from internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis with no discernible signs of cancer.

I've had only one breeder quality type hen have this type ailment and she's been fighting it for a year now. They rarely last that long with this stuff as she has, but overall, the good quality genetics seem to keep me from having to deal with this over having just hatchery stock. Hatchery stock has its place, but you really need to get the breeds that are not the most common ones the feed stores sell or you'll be dealing with internal laying over and over again. My hatchery Brahmas have had the longest lives of all the hatchery hens I've owned. One died at 5 1/2 years from cancer, but the other is over 6 1/2 and still seems in good health, though she has not laid in over a year. She could have cancer growing, but I'd say she's lived a very long life for a hatchery hen already.

I agree. Besides the Hatchery Reds I did get HRIR and HDelawares this year that I am raising. I do have hatchery LB's and Leghorns I'm raising this year also. Plan on replacing the hatchery LB's next year with breeder LB's to improve everything around here.