Longevity?

[juliebd]

This sounds the most likely scenario. I bought them from a local feed store, which likely ordered from a hatchery. I never felt they were the healthiest and egg production has definitely been down over the past couple of months. I have 4 remaining birds, 1 is broody and I am only getting 1-2 eggs per day.
Thank you to everyone for the ideas.
Julie

 

[aart]

Just because they came from a hatchery does not mean they will not live as long as birds from a breeder.

There are so many variables for cause in a sudden bird death it's impossible to know what the cause was without a necropsy, even then it might not be apparent.

 

[aldarita]

Just because they came from a hatchery does not mean they will not live as long as birds from a breeder.

There are so many variables for cause in a sudden bird death it's impossible to know what the cause was without a necropsy, even then it might not be apparentent

I agree, there are many variables that can cause the sudden death of a chicken, like their environment, what they eat and genetics. I was just pointing out the hatchery issue as a possibility.