Molting?

[chickenscratch]

I had asked for advice on why my chickens weren't laying and someone suggested molting.
I'm not sure if all are but 1 or 2 are molting theres feathers everywhere. What does this mean in general and how does that effect egg laying?

 

[gritsar]

Molting completely stops laying in most cases. The hens need the protein to grow new feathers and they can't use it for feathers if they are laying.
It's natures way of giving them a break from laying.
I had one hen complete a molt in three weeks, but it usually takes four weeks or longer.