6 year old RIR, no eggs so far this year

[Cheshire Chickens]

Hi Everyone
Margo is my 6 year old Rhode Island Red - I've had her 5 years and the lady I adopted her from said she was around 12-18 months old then.
She's as sassy as they come and has always laid well.
She was definitely slowing down last year laying one egg a week on average I'd say, but then this year hasn't laid at all so far. We are in Cheshire, UK.
Should I be worried?
She's eating and drinking very well (always been greedy!) and is happily out with her sisters every day. I've noticed her sitting in the nest box a few times over recent days, but with no output, so that is making me a little concerned - ie: is she feeling uncomfortable and feeling like she wants to lay, and is this a sign of something else going on? Comb and wattles very red in the last couple of weeks but had been pale over the winter/moult etc. which is another thing that is making me wonder whether she is internal laying or has salpingitis - so my worry head is kicking in! She doesn't seem to be bloated and is pooing normally. She does have some episodes of slight but fast tail bobbing when she is sat down, but no open mouth breathing or neck stretching. I'm thinking a trip to the vets for antibiotics maybe? But thought I'd ask you lovely lot first!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It is normal at her age to stop laying. Her comb and wattles pale over the winter is also normal for any hen that is not laying over the winter months or molting. She may be checking the nesting boxes out of habit, but as long as she is eating, drinking and otherwise acting normal she is just getting old slowing down. Hens essentially go through a menopause and slowdown then stop laying once they get older in age. Not all do, but most and yours is right around the age when that normally happens.

 

[Cheshire Chickens]

Thank you #HollowOfWisps i was wondering whether that is what was happening. She's top of the pecking order, so would make sense that she still wants to be in on the nest box action!
Thanks for the reassurance, she's my last remaining hen from my very first flock, so she's a favourite.
I'll continue to spoil her now she's heading to retirement