6 1/2 mo. pullets squating for roo, no sign of eggs

[wild chick]

I had 2 broody hens last summer, resulting in 3 pullets hatched June 8 and 2 pullets hatched July 10. The June pullets have been red for about 2 - 3 weeks and I've seen 2 of them let the rooster mount without a fuss. My 8 older hens (1 1/2 years old) have turned pale, some in full molt, some just now getting feathers, none laying eggs. Last year by the time this hatchery bunch was 6 months old in Dec. I got 40 (yes, forty) eggs the first week of January from 9 pullets. Now this year every hen has quit laying and the new pullets haven't started, not even soft eggs under the roost. They free range all day, get locked up at night, free choice grower and free choice layer feed. I'm in the southwest, and we are having a balmy winter. I've never used lights and don't plan to, and I'm totally ok with the hens taking a molt break, I'm just wondering if there is a deeper reason for ZERO eggs for the last 30 days? These are Wyandottes, golds & silvers. Thanks for input!

 

[Welshies]

They will likely lay as soon as the daylight hours lengthen. Their first spring, likely around March, April, or May

 

[aart]

They free range all day

Butt Check!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

Then maybe Lock 'em up.
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.

 

[wild chick]

Fake eggs in place, have been for the last year. I may lock them up for a few days. I know the pale-face hens are taking a break so maybe just the pullets. I'm just so confused that last year I had 9 pullets laying 30 - 40 eggs a week at 6 1/2 months and this year I have 5 pullets near the same age at zero eggs ever + the eight (one was killed in March) 1 1/2 year olds that have shut down completely! It just seems weird. Thanks @aart - I might try the lock-up for a week.