Chickens on strike... for four months?!?

[aart]

Might be time for an exam:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

This^^^^ then....
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.

 

[SVTechChick]

Awesome folks, thank you -- We'll put them in 'confinement' this week, and see how it goes. I'll also do another round of 'butt checks on thee chicks', but luckily the Silkie's are small enough, we don't mistake hers for the others!

 

[Chercher72]

Hi. If you haven't found a hidden special spot they lay. Could be a animal taking them. I would pen them up for a few days and get them used to laying where you want them to. Also if they were mine I would stop everything except the layer and sprinkle with a little wheat germ oil. This encourages mine to start laying after a hard mold. Just some thoughts. Hope this helps.