Two year old chickens not laying?

[Sherriekim]

I just got an e-mail from a lady who wants to know if I would like four RIR hens who hatched in April of 2005 who are no longer laying. I know chickens slow down as they get older, but wouldn't it be more likely that two year old hens are responding to change in weather and/or molting rather than done laying eggs "forever" as she seems to think. I really don't need more hens, but I hate to see her part with these chickens if they have just slowed down. Most of my hens are pullets, but I do have two three old bantys and one who is at least four, maybe even five, (she's a great broody) and they all do lay eggs, just not every day. Anybody with more experience care to offer an opinion/advice?

Oh, crud! I should have posted this is the chicken behavior & egglaying forum! Sorry, moderators, I never seem to get it right.

 

[Mac]

I have 5 RIR's that are 3.5 years old. Before the weather got cool they were laying an egg each day. I'm no expert, but to stop laying at 2 years seems off.

 

[speckledhen]

My original flock members are two years old and they are molting right now; still, they are laying for the most part, regularly, except for one or two. I bet hers are reacting to the season and are just taking a break.

 

[Sherriekim]

Thanks for the advice, that's exactly what I was thinking. She is aware they may start laying again this spring, but would still like to re-home them. I did offer to take them, but told her I was happy to wait if she wanted to try to sell them first. As I said, I have plenty of hens, but I'm a sucker when it comes to homeless chickens. I just wouldn't have felt right taking her chickens if she had thought they were done laying for good without pointing out they would most likely lay eggs again.

 

[helmstead]

I only have one chicken that has actually STOPPED laying - our first Silver Phoenix hen hasn't layed an egg in about a year. I think it's a reproductive problem. (well, yeah, DUH) She shows no sign of any related health issue...just doesn't lay anymore. She's just over 2 years old. Good thing she's pretty and sweet!

 

[speckledhen]

My nutty Blue Orp, Velvet, stopped over a month ago and she only started laying a few weeks before that. She's just 9 months old, so I have no clue. The older ladies are really outdoing her.

 

[cheapcheap_jeepjeep]

Well my 3 RIR/sexlinks and not laying and seemed to stop about a month ago. They are about a 1 yr. I guess and molting so I hope the start back up soon. I am only getting one egg a day from my EE. I REFUSE to go buy eggs.