3 year old chickens @ "the end"??

[urbanchickmama]

We got our chickens about 3 years ago, so they've been laying for about 2 1/2 years or a little less. I've noticed that since they molted last fall, their laying picked up to about normal (maybe an egg per chicken every other day or so) but now is slowing. Slowing enough that we only get about 3 eggs (from 10 hens) every other day at this point. We've also been finding tiny eggs - what I've seen referred to as 'fart eggs' - in the coop on the ground. The tiny ones are less regular, but maybe one a week for the last couple of weeks.

Could they really be reaching "the end" already?? Are there any other signs I can look for to know for sure?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

There are lots of stressors (environmental, nutritional, disease, parasitic) that can cause a drop in egg production. After the first 18 months of lay chickens will slow down every year but can lay for 10 years or more. Egg hybrid breeds tend to play out much quicker than heritage breeds.