Very old laying hen

[jefff120]

I have an americauna hen she is almost six years old and today I watched her lay an egg is there anyway I can permanetly stop her from laying anymore eggs to prevent any sickness of injuries do to egg laying ie (egg bound)

 

[sourland]

It is highly unlikely that she will have egg laying problems. These situations are more likely in crosses developed for high egg production. I have had hens lay into their teens with no problems.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can have a hysterectomy but people usually only do that if the hen has been having serious egg laying problems like peritonitis - and I'm sure it's expensive.

The issues in the below article can happen at any age.
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/egglaying-troubles-eggbinding-and-vent-prolapse.html

As hens age, egg shells get thinner but a healthy bird shouldn't have problems.
I wouldn't call a 6 year old hen "very old". I have a several hens that are 5, laying well and among my primary breeders.
Hens can lay for 10 years or more.