First Molt Question

[Afterburner]

I have three young pullets hatched on February of this year. They are one each of these breeds: Barred Rock, Barnevelder, Speckled Sussex. This winter, Barnevelder has continued to regularly lay eggs. the Speckled Sussex stopped laying eggs around mid October but did not molt. The Barred Rock stopped laying around the same time as the Speckled Sussex and now is in a pretty heavy molt.

My question is this, these are all hatchery chicks, so I understand they aren't heritage breeds, but that being so, normally, don't pullets lay through their first winter and molt after their first full year after hatching? Also, if their molt/egg shutdown is normal, why is the Barnevelder still laying?

 

[kattabelly]

don't pullets lay through their first winter and molt after their first full year after hatching?

They often do but some will moult in their first year, particularly if they hatched very early that year.

Also, if their molt/egg shutdown is normal, why is the Barnevelder still laying?

Both are normal.