Are my hens just showing sings of old age?

[BantamLover21]

I currently have four hens from a hatchery that are six years old, healthy (knock on wood), and still laying often. With that said, I also have a four year old Dutch bantam hen who is showing similar symptoms to those of your hens. She is slower, spends more time lying down, and may have a barely reduced appetite. I'm guessing she has some sort of internal reproductive problem, brought on mostly by old age. Four years is by no means the end of a chicken's life. However, high-production birds like Red Sex-links are more at risk of reproductive disorders as they age and seem to "burn out" more quickly. Other than offering your hens the best care possible (quality feed, fresh water, clean coop, parasite prevention, etc.), there is nothing you can do. I wouldn't expect any of them to die soon, but a few could be nearing the end (like my Dutch hen).