I have 6 hens and it seems they all started molting at the same time and at the same time, stopped laying. This started mid December and I think the molt is over now - not many feathers to clean up. I live in the SF bay area and the temperatures are mild, with the nights getting into the 40's. We haven't had an egg since mid December and I'm wondering how long it takes for the hormones to kick back in and they start earning their keep again!
It can take hens a few months to begin laying after molting. Two of my birds started molting in early September, and are only now showing signs of beginning to lay again.
Some birds will start laying at the very end of the molt cycle with a few feathers left to regrow and some will wait 2 months after the last feather has grown in. Even though you are not seeing any feathers around they may still be growing them in. Generally the combs need to redden and unshrink themselves, indicating the hormones are again flowing to produce eggs, however I have had early birds from molting start laying with paler combs. A molt from start to finish can take 2 months and up to 6 months. They get back to laying when their hormones tell them it is time.
