Egg laying after molting

[montverdechick]

How long does it typically take for a hen to start laying again after molting? My Amerucanas started up again after a few weeks,but my Dominiques still haven't after more than a month!

 

[Judy]

I doubt there's a typical. Some of mine took a couple of weeks, most several weeks longer, but then, it's colder now than when they were laying well, too. And I added a few hours of light after the molt was over because they didn't start.

 

[montverdechick]

Well, they must have realized I was stressing because they both laid an egg today! Horray!

 

[pontoosuc]

I'm patiently waiting for two of mine that started in mid January.

 

[kulangi]

My australorp is still laying eggs even though she is molting. Under wings and belly is completely naked and yet I have welsummer hen that has not laid an egg for a month and she is not molting. Go figure.

 

[macdoogle]

My EE stopped at Thanksgiving and just got back to work this week. That's a long break.

 

[Boiler Maker]

My bantam cochin took a two month break after molting and started laying again in January. My welsummer and exchequer leghorn both molted in November and have not laid an egg since. They are a year and half old and I am hoping their age has something to do with this? I've come to the conclusion that chickens will lay eggs when they darn well feel like it

 

[terryg]

Age does matter. As does breed. And weather. And stress. You get the idea In general, though, the older the hen, the longer she takes to start laying again after a molt, and the longer break she'll take because of daylight hours and temperature. If the winter is mild and sunny, eggs will happen sooner rather than later. One of my old hens, Tina, laid an egg today, the first one in about 3 months for her. The rest of the old girls are probably done for good. But maybe one will surprise me...
You can see this flock on my live-streaming cam at www.HenCam.com (I also have a lot of info about old chickens and egg laying in my blog.)