Vital Farms doesn't say outright on their website, but it looks like their brown egg layers are Isa Browns. And I've seen Isa Browns recommended as good layers by many articles.
Rhode Island Reds are also pretty common in more industrial sized spaces, I think.
Sounds like the Australorp is molting, which is normal. Just give her protein treats while she's going through it. Some are quick, some are slow. I've had hens molt for up to 3 months, but most of them take about a couple weeks to a month.
Idk what else you can do to assess the skinny hen...
Keep 28, 31, 32, and 105. However, I'm confused as that brings it down to 3 hens and 4 pics. Can I keep Violet as my fourth submission then? She is 33.
Sorry, I just got some teeth pulled and am still feeling the anesthesia.
Well, please be mindful of people's experiences and differing environments. Tapeworm has afflicted my flock for a year now, and it's the only parasite I dealt with for a long time until lice came along. I am unable to eradicate it, I have tried. But it's worth people trying to find out whether...