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?.

 

[BDutch]

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

True, not everyone who has chickens or other animals thinks about use of pesticides as a threat.

On another forum there was someone who had sick chickens after she bought a new lawn in rolls for a quick fix. She hadnt thought about the abundant use of pesticides and herbicides the growers use for the perfect green grass.

 

[Appalachickens]

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.

Then that's great. I am with you on the natural life.