Crockpot chicken help!?

I always have a hard time with my crock pot - it seems to always dry everything out. So I was supposed to put a whole chicken in the crockpot for 8 - 10 hours on low. I forgot about it, so by 10:30 I had it in the crockpot, turned it on high to get it started for 1 1/2 hours, then turned it on low. It has now been in there for 5 1/2 hours and I used a meat thermometer and avoiding the bone, it says it's at 170 degrees already! (180 is when it's done). Is that right? Do crockpots register temperature properly? Augh! it's only 3:00 - NOT time for a chicken dinner!