Hi UK newbie

[JamesChicken]

Hi we have kept 3 chickens for a few years now just moved up to 5 as egg production dwindled. Sadly only 2 are laying so I have come here for advice...
One of the girls is old so we think she has 'finished' , another is POL so waiting for her to start. But one is not laying at all and she's only 1.5 yrs old. She seems healthy but is matted around the vent area with some feather loss

 

[Lovely Lettie]

Welcome to our awesome community! Nice to meet you

 

[theoldchick]

You need to wash the chicken with a dirt bum to see exactly what is going on. Best of luck!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello and welcome to BYC!

It's possible the heat is slowing down the laying, as well as age. I'd clean up the vent area of this bird and see what's going on back there. Good luck and welcome aboard!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello James, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Have you checked the hen with feather loss around her vent for internal parasites? She may be heavily burdened. If you have a vet that can do a fecal float for you and prescribe a proper dewormer than you can deworm the entire flock.

 

[Kenneth Zweerink]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens. And a Big Hello from Eastern Nebraska!

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC! Glad that you have joined our community.

 

[swampfox440]

Welcome to BYC! thanks for joining us.

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. All sort of possibilities for the break in laying - normal break in the laying cycle, beginning of a molt, parasites, age/breed - hopefully you can define and solve the problem.