What happened to "them"?

[LaFleche]

She turned 4 mid February-Early March. I wouldn't think she was an old hen. (I'm used to calling 5+ year old hens old.)

Just as with humans some start earlier than others, but of course something else might be going on like ovary cancer.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Orpingtons seem to me to be one of those breeds that get "old" sooner. In other words, they tend to have reproductive problems early.

 

[Idealis60]

I wasn't sure what category to put this thread in- I don't think this is an emergency at all, she's(?) fine.
But I had a 3 year old buff orpington (Early 4's presently) who was always a good layer up until late last year, she(?) hasn't laid a single egg or shown interest in nesting/laying- I do remember her(?) last eggs being smaller than usual and the shells that weren't as tough as usual. And she(?) only laid once or twice a week at random.
Then she(?) stopped, completely.
It's been 5 or more months since she's(?) stopped, and one morning (2 months ago maybe), we noticed how rooster-ish her(?) face looks now. My mom even claims someone has swapped out buff orpington hens. .
She's(?) always had a larger comb then any other buff I've owned, but nowhere near as large as it now. And her(?) wattles are crazy! Did my hen change her(?) gender?
She(?) doesn't have rooster feathers, and doesn't crow or act like a rooster at all- She(?) has no dominance in her(?) either. Although today I noticed how monotone her(?) "bok bok" is, never paid attention before I guess.
Here she(?) was when she(?) was still laying:
View attachment 3811736
Closer to the time she(?) stopped: (You can tell by the change in comb color, it was pale here.)
View attachment 3811735
Today: (Or this evening.)
View attachment 3811743
View attachment 3811749
P.S. She's(?) always been a big hen, but she's (?) definitely a fat bird now. She(?) doesn't even look like the same bird anymore other than color.
(The question marks after every she/her pronouns are absolutely necessary.)

I'm pretty sure after about 3 - 4 years of laying they can just stop (but don't listen to me i don't know much about chickens)

 

[StinkyAcres]

I'm pretty sure after about 3 - 4 years of laying they can just stop (but don't listen to me i don't know much about chickens)

It's not uncommon for healthy 7-year-old chickens to still be laying. If they stop early it means something is wrong. Could be something minor and non-life-threatening or it could mean they're quite ill.

 

[Mrs. K]

But more than likely it is just the card they drew, you really can’t do anything about it.