You may have gotten some older birds. Technically; they should have done their molt this fall; they could have been done with it by October, or if they were under constant light and didn't go through a molt - they could still need one. If they were under lights since April 2009 they could be burned out. As fas as the commment that chickens should be left to natural cycles and not be put under lights - that would be great for those for whom chickens are pets - however, many of us keep chickens for eggs. We particularly keep them in order to have the least expensive humanely raised eggs and meat - and even feeding organic feed - (and therefore paying about $3.40/dozen for eggs) - I"m still saving from the local cost of $5.00/dozen for organic eggs produced in town. I couldn't afford to keep chickens who were not laying - and understand your frustration.
I would put a white 60 W light with a timer on in the morning and evening; so they get at least 15-16 hrs of daylight. If you have an electric source; try a water heater under the water if no one can bring them water first thing in the morning (when the light comes on). I only have an extension cord running out to the coop for the light; so I try to make sure I get up at 6:30 in the morning (light comes on at 5:30) when it's < 25 - to give them fresh water. I only give them the red heat light at night when the temperature is approaching less than 10 degrees F. I've heard of people in Minnesota who don't heat their coops - I think chickens can handle cold pretty darned well. Especially if they have a nice wide roosts to cover their feet with, if you vaseline their wattles/combs, or if they don't have enormous combs, and if they coop is clean and draft free.
Depending how long you've had them, since October?, they could have needed an adjustment period. Are the facilities set up like they were used to? Are they stressed at all - enough feed? Did you perhaps buy egg-eaters? Any evidence of that? If so - cull the whole flock and try to get some chicks this month. THey'll be laying in the spring for you. If you don't like to cull - find a neighbor or other who could use the meat. I got some ~17 weekers (black stars, EE) in early November and they started laying at 20-21 weeks - even one of the Ameracuanas has started at 21 weeks. How about fading of the scales (query; are RIR yellow skined or white skinned) - that can indicate age.
Maybe someone else can answer this question -- how can you tell who's laying in a flock.....I have eight birds; so when they are in full production I could probably guess if everyone's laying adequately based on numbers of eggs/day. The vent check on the 6/8 birds that will let me handle them shows all the black stars have wide horizontal vents; the one Ameracuana that allows me to pick her up - she's a little more tight and round; but that very well may be due to her small size - or maybe she's not the one laying....Any ideas?
