My hens stopped laying!!

[Dbl T in CO]

Question:

I have 2 year old hens that initially laid very well. Last May I introduced a rooster. They laid until they started molting. They molted for almost 2 months which seemed long. When they started to lay again they laid for about 4 weeks and then stopped. That has been about 8 weeks ago. I have a light in their coop so they are getting about 17 hours of light a day. Any ideas as to why they have stopped laying?

I appreciate your time. Thanks!!

 

[La Mike]

what temp is it there?
Maybe just cold.

 

[jeslewmazer]

Do they free range in the day? If so they might be hiding them in the bushes.
Have you changed their diet? What kinds of food do you feed?
Has it been colder this winter vs last winter? And did they lay well last winter?
Are they fully feathered back out?

 

[Dbl T in CO]

The weather has relatively the same as last year. They are fully feathered. They have not been free ranging since winter hit. They laid very well last winter. I’m stumped. We are starting to think it has something to do with the rooster. He is the only variable in this equation. We just can’t figure it out.