Roobaloo Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 One of my girls is an egg machine! She's a Rhode star and lays almost every day, usually one day "off" a week...but for the last 10 days, she's been laying enormous eggs, 75-80g each, often double yolkers...and for the last 5 days, she's been laying twice a day, the second one is always a softie, but still contains a yolk...so 3 yolks a day!! Should I be at all concerned at this level of egg production? She looks happy and healthy so I'm not concerned, but if it's a sign that she has something wrong internally that may become an issue in later life, I'd rather know now so I can keep an eye out for any changes! Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 From what I've read and learnt about egg productivity in hybrid hens can be short and intense or spaced out. Hens are generally born with a finite number of eggs so they can come out gradually over time or as in your hens case, she is at her peak and will stop laying at this rate and likely decrease productivity sooner than other hens. I think the one thing I would look out for is a prolapsed vent- I have pasted the following from poultryhelp.com:- It does happen occasionally. It's called "prolapsed vent", "prolapse" or "blowout". It happens when a hen lays an egg a bit bigger than normal and her vent (cloaca) turns partially inside out. Separate her from the others. They will be tempted to peck at the prolapse and kill her. Clean it as best you can with water and a clean paper towel. Then gently push back in anything that has come out and apply a bit of Preparation H to the inflamed area. It's kinda like a hemorrhoid. You might also give her soluble antibiotics in her drinking water for about 4-5 days to guard against infection. The following is from "The Chicken Health Handbook" by Gail Damerow ISBN: 0-88266-611-8. This book is highly recommended and available at a 30% discount from our Poultry Bookstore. "Prolapsed Oviduct, also called "blowout" or "pickout" is a condition in which the lower part of the hen's oviduct turns inside out and protrudes through the vent. Prolapse occurs most often when a hen starts laying at too young an age, is too fat, or lays unusually large eggs. Caught in time, the prolapse can sometimes be reversed by applying a hemorrhoidal cream (such as Preparation H) and isolating the hen until she approves. Otherwise, the other chickens will pick at her vent, eventually pulling out her oviduct and intestines and causing the hen to die from hemorrhage and shock. Not all vent picking is due to prolapse, but instead may result from faulty management - feeders, waterers and roosts may be positioned in such a way that birds below can pick on the vents of birds above." Hope that helps. Can I ask what are you feeding her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
