Strange question?

[frias]

One of my hens has always laid strange shaped eggs. Nobbly, with lines down and rough pointy end. They taste fine but she now seems to be having problems laying it and goes into the nest box several times before laying. I would rather she didn't lay at all and wondered if it was possible to stop a hen laying? (OH says she needs a hysterectomy.) I don't want to lose her but don't like to think she's in pain. Otherwise she's well and eats the most. I have started to put a little olive oil around her vent occasionally but feel I can't ask neighbour to do this if I go away.

[vicky]

They say fat hens don't lay as much, could you give her a special (corn) diet?

[frias]

When I first got my hens Poppy was the one who just stood on one leg, head tucked in and not one of the flock. Now she is the largest, fattest and definately eats the most. She is always by your feet if gardening, asking for worms. she should be called Piggy not Poppy! She lays nearly every day too, I just wish she wouldn't if it's painfull. All the books say if eggs not right cull, but that's because they think about eggs for sale not the hen as a pet. Perhaps this is one for the vet.

[Birdie Wife]

I think I read somewhere that some hens can have hormone or digestive inbalances from hatching, which might be the case if she's never laid a normal egg. If she is really fat you can try feeding her nothing but layers pellets. No treats, no corn, no pasta... and run her around the garden a few times too!

Not a lot the vet could do, unless it's hormonal and then maybe she could get injections - but it's a long term prospect. The only way to make a hen stop laying is to stress her out or get her broody, and neither of those is particularly sustainable. I think you might just have to keep an eye on her and if the egg laying is really too painful for her then she might need to be put down... sorry to have to say that, please do get advice from the vet ('cos I'm not a vet and I'm just passing on what I can) but be prepared for bad news

[Ashbylife]

I'm sure that I read somewhere that if they get too overweight it can cause problems with laying and our plumpest girl is the one who sometimes suffers from problems when laying. Perhaps trying to slim her down a bit may make it easier for her?

[frias]

When I say she's the fattest I don't actually mean she's fat or overweight. As an ex-batt she's just not bred to have meat on her but she is the biggest of my 6. I've had them all since May and Poppy has always laid odd shaped eggs. She runs plenty as every time I open the back door it's a mad dash! I might be taking one of the others to vet anyway as she's off colour. But that's another thread.