Internal layer

[skysmum]

Before i remove the nest box can i ask if my hen could be an internal layer.

She has been with her mate for 33 days. They have been mating every day for the last 24 days and she has been interested in the nest box since the start. For the last two weeks she has shown signs that she is about to lay an egg and in the last week she has had huge poos and is spending the days in the box but coming out at night.

A couple of times she has had a large egg bum in the evening but this has disappeared by the morning but no egg. I know she is not egg bound and she is in breeding condition. I even thought she could be eating the eggs but there are no signs of this in the box.

I feel a bit confused and think its time to take the nest box away but am caught with the thought that she could lay at any time .

Could the male be the problem, do males have infertility problems?

Any advice anyone could give would be great.

[starlingqueen]

Even if the male was infertile she would still lay eggs.

[skysmum]

Dec 15, 2014 22:28:43 GMT starlingqueen said:

Even if the male was infertile she would still lay eggs.

Yep i know that , scrap that question, iv'e definitely got BIRD brain tonight

[starlingqueen]

I've had the same thing happen with my hens. In particular when they haven't got a nest box. They look like they have an egg bum, do the massive poops and then nothing. I wonder if they reabsorb the egg.

[skysmum]

Yes i think that is what is happening.

[tickle]

hello ...just wondering what a internallayer is /means ? 

[skysmum]

Dec 16, 2014 17:12:09 GMT tickle said:

hello ...just wondering what a internallayer is /means ? 

Hi tickle, it means that they reabsorb the egg back into their systems instead of laying it. Im still learning about it myself but that is basically what happens with some hens.

[samwiseg]

So sorry this is happening skysmum - we were all rooting for Mr & Mrs Pinca to have Pincaletts - will you now invest in purchasing some young budgies?

[skysmum]

Dec 16, 2014 17:24:58 GMT samwiseg said:

So sorry this is happening skysmum - we were all rooting for Mr & Mrs Pinca to have Pincaletts - will you now invest in purchasing some young budgies?

ar


Thanks sam, i know and i feel so sad for them because they have tried soooo hard, its heartbreaking but could also be the reason she found herself in a pet shop looking sad at a year old .

Ive been waiting to put some form of update on their page but i don't think its gonna happen. Have told myself Christmas is my absolute cut off time i don't want to put them through it for any longer than that.

[tickle]

thanksfor your answer ,skyesmum ,,,that is sad didn,t even know this could happen ...wow soooomuch to learn

[jellybean]

You and me both tickle, I didn't know that could happen either 

[Deleted]

I would remove the nest and never try her again,internal layers can have problems if attempting to lay.

[skysmum]

Thanks corie, you've given me push that i needed and the box has come off today .

[Deleted]

Your Welcome, don't be dishearted you may have just saved your hen and i'm sure you will get some little pinkies down the track with another pair.

[BudgiesBuddy]

We can have an odd hen that produces wet droppings and has a swollen vent, yet never produces a egg, these are called internal or non layers.

@corie, do you have some info or article on internal layers, which can be shared here for members benefit in future.