New member

[Gvnsmom]

Have 4 hens and a rooster! 3 out of my four hens are sleepy got them from a guy who bought out a commercial egg farm. They eat well don't produce eggs and sleep a lot I do have one that is producing and very spry! What should I do?

 

[drumstick diva]

I wonder if he sold you OLD hens past their laying days and just worn out. Have you checked them for worms and lice/mites - any of which can cause debilitation?

 

[Gvnsmom]

I wonder if he sold you OLD hens past their laying days and just worn out. Have you checked them for worms and lice/mites - any of which can cause debilitation?

Haven't seen lice or mites, they were really sad looking he said they were in the middle of molting and were missing tons of feathers, the one that is laying looks great and healthy

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Hens won't lay when they are in moult, so hopefully they may resume laying, but as D/Diva says, they could likely be heading towards the twilight of their egg-laying years.

I seem to recall that there is some info on ex-commerical layers in the Learning Centre -
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/