Do you remember the breed you were raising then? And where was this located? The drop in production would make sense if they were just the standard White/Red Leghorns.
I used to have 50 at a time at my other farm. Mainly because I had 3 teen boys to feed, seemingly 24/7!
I sold the extra eggs to a local Deli. I’d package them in clear containers - I raised the ‘Easter Eggers’ with all the colorful eggs. Nice labeling with ‘Hand Raised/Cage Free’ notes and tied each dozen with a fancy raffia ribbon. (Women - who do the majority of food-foraging/buying - LOVE them some ribbons!)
I got $2.50 for a dozen; Steve sold them for $5/dozen and customers screamed for MORE!
This was in the early 90’s, well before everyone had their own FOUR laying hens allowed at home.
What I made at the Deli kept us in chicken feed and kept my crew fed. It was not a ‘Wharton School of Economics’ study by any means. ;)
Basic White Leghorns mostly. Although I had a few Rhode Island Reds and Dominiquers, plus a few Bantams, most were the Whites.
Holly Springs, MS is where were were located. Actually a few miles outside town.