Do molting hens affect other hens?

[Spawndn72]

I have seven total hens. Three hens are eighteen months old and are molting. All of the chickens have stopped laying; is this normal? Been going on for about two weeks now. The only thing else that has changed is the weather. 60's in the day and 40's at night.

**edit** The four hens that aren't molting are 10 months old.

 

[sourland]

The change in the day light period is most likely impacting your hens.

 

[aart]

The change in the day light period is most likely impacting your hens.

Yep....and even your 10mo pullets may slow or stop laying, they may even have a partial molt.