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I've had my current batch of hens for over two years now, and they were already laying when I got them - commercial type laying hybrids, the "little brown girls", which is all I ever keep. This batch have been super healthy and 4 of them are still laying, which at now 2 1/2 years old, is great for their type
But, you know. They're not bred for long lives, these brown girls. About 3 weeks ago, one was a little quiet in herself. And moving much slower than normal. I put a strong dose of Herban in the water, and kept a close eye on her. After a couple of days, she recovered. So she had 3 weeks of happy life. But this week, I noticed her slowing down again, plus, I noticed her spending time in the nest box, but not laying. 2 days ago, I had to pick her up and put her in the run, and felt the telltale sign. She was very "bottom heavy" and gone broad in the beam. I've lost several hybrids over the years to egg yolk peritonitis - internal laying. So I culled her before she became very ill and suffered too much.
I hate culling. The older I get, the more hate it. [emoji22]
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But, you know. They're not bred for long lives, these brown girls. About 3 weeks ago, one was a little quiet in herself. And moving much slower than normal. I put a strong dose of Herban in the water, and kept a close eye on her. After a couple of days, she recovered. So she had 3 weeks of happy life. But this week, I noticed her slowing down again, plus, I noticed her spending time in the nest box, but not laying. 2 days ago, I had to pick her up and put her in the run, and felt the telltale sign. She was very "bottom heavy" and gone broad in the beam. I've lost several hybrids over the years to egg yolk peritonitis - internal laying. So I culled her before she became very ill and suffered too much.
I hate culling. The older I get, the more hate it. [emoji22]
Sent from my SM-A415F using Tapatalk