Determining if old hens are still laying eggs

[capayvalleychick]

I am trying to figure out if some of my older hens are still laying eggs. I've been putting them in a small coop/cage and waiting for them to lay an egg.
My question is, how long do I wait until I can make the determination that a hen is no longer laying eggs?

The first few hens laid an egg within 2 days. The latest hen, born in 2009, is going on her 4th day without laying.
Is it too early in the year to test? I think that most of them are laying, judging from the number of eggs being collected daily.

These hens usually free range during the day, so being in a cage must be somewhat stressful and may affect their egg laying. ??? But I figure that they can't hold back for long, if they are still productive.

Any experience with this?
Thanks,
Kim

 

[ECBW]

There are many factors. My two 3-year-olds laid non stop for 2 years, even through winters. They, of different breeds, both started molting this fall. One resumed laying in 3 months and one just resumed. They are both laying at much lower rate.

Chicken is a hobby to me, so egg production is secondary. If your objective is harvesting eggs and your older birds are more than 2 and have stopped (to rest), might as well change them out.

Egg farmers in my area rotate out after 1 year.