Help! Hens not living past 3 yrs old

[Wvsweetie]

I have about 30 laying hens all different breeds. They are only living till about three yrs of age. Is this normal? What can I do?

 

[Wyandottes7]

What breeds, specifically, were they? And, where have you gotten them from? When they die, do they appear to get sick, or do they just die, seemingly of old age?

Many breeds, especially the high production egg layers like Red Sex-Links, Production Reds, and White Leghorns aren't bred to live for a long time. Their heavy egg production can cause them to lead shorter lives. Hatchery birds that are bred to lay many eggs may also succumb to egg related problems, such as internal egg laying, due to such high production.

 

[Wvsweetie]

I lost 1 Rock, 2 Leghorns, 3 RI Reds
All from TrCtor Supply. All separate designs. They stopped laying, seemed healthy, then started shutting down, this took about a week. I examined each one don't think we're egg bound.

 

[Wvsweetie]

I also lost one Banty rooster the same symptoms. They seemed to be gasping for breath at the end