Did I get dealt a crap hand or….?

[Appalachickens]

Right. Only those who approach their chickens as pets, like their cats or dogs go to a vet. They go for longevity and don’t care much about egg productivity.
An implant to stop laying costs and only works for 2-6 months.

Makes sense. Guess you fall into the vet camp or the stewpot camp.

 

[Dynamissa]

Oh, so like Norplant. Thanks. Still a little confused - I guess that would only make sense if your chicken is completely a pet and not livestock?

Pretty much

If they free range, take a look at the plants you have growing that they can get to. There might be something they shouldn't be eating, even just a nibble for taste.

No.. they are confined to a run.
unfortunately our town doesn’t allow
Free range.

 

[BDutch]

If they free range, take a look at the plants you have growing that they can get to. There might be something they shouldn't be eating, even just a nibble for taste.

I never took away poisonous plants. My chickens are cautious and don’t eat them. Never had a chicken who suffered from something that could have been poisonous.

But I dont use pesticides/herbicides and don’t buy plants /bulbs/seeds that probably contain lots of it. The compost pile is not used for bought non-organic flowers someone kindly bought for me.

I do have old and healthy chickens. They free range almost every day 2-6 hours.

 

[BDutch]

Makes sense. Guess you fall into the vet camp or the stewpot camp.

Neither.
I let them live a natural life to some extent. At least without medication that needs prescription.

Rules and regulations for medication and poisons (pesticides) are very strict in the Netherlands.

fyi: I have 8 chickens. 3 are 10+. 1 10yo still lays good eggs a couple of times a week.

 

[Penpal]

BDutch mentioned pesticides. Is it possible that one or more of your neighbors have been spraying pesticides or herbicides?.