Signs of imminent molt? Egg production decrease

[Englishable]

We have 11 Lavender Orpington hens that are about 14 months old. Up until a couple weeks ago, we'd been getting anywhere from 6-10 eggs a day; it's suddenly decreased to 2-4.

We feed a custom mix of feed: corn-free, soy-free and 17% protein. The whole flock (11 hens, 2 roosters and 17 guineas) get two scoops of cracked corn every morning as a treat; it's probably around 3-4 cups that we toss on the ground. Free choice oyster shells. And everyone free ranges all day long.

We do have 4 hens that are broody. Weather-wise, it's been quite mild here: 60s, maybe low 70s once in awhile, and lots of rain. We haven't changed anything in their routine, housing, feed, etc. No signs of parasites, as far as we can tell. Given that the solstice just passed, I doubt it's an issue with the amount of light they're getting

With the broody hens out, I wouldn't have been surprised to only get 4-6 eggs a day, but most days we only get 2!

So my thoughts are either they have suddenly decided to lay their eggs outside where we haven't found them or maybe they are starting to molt. But is June/14 months old too early for molting? I kept telling my husband they'd likely molt this fall, but now I'm wondering. What are some of the earliest signs of molt?

Thanks!

 

[Poultrybreeder]

My birds are already beginning to molt, I am seeing tail feathers scattered on the ground, and blank spot where feathers should be on my birds. Some of them are about 14 months like you said, usually they will start lightly molting around the end of June, like now, then heavily around August. This is just from my experience, chickens have been in my family for about 50 years now!

 

[Dawnclucks22]

My birds are already beginning to molt, I am seeing tail feathers scattered on the ground, and blank spot where feathers should be on my birds. Some of them are about 14 months like you said, usually they will start lightly molting around the end of June, like now, then heavily around August. This is just from my experience, chickens have been in my family for about 50 years now!

Only one of my birds (I think) is molting. She just finished being broody and there are teeny little bantam feathers everywhere! She's looking a bit scruffy at the moment too. Oh well..