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From what I have learned and experienced with my own flock...here's what affects laying both positively and negatively...in a nutshell...
Sex (duh)
Environment
Health
Feed
Breed
Age
Sex is pretty much a no-brainer. You aren't gonna get eggs from a roo no matter if the rest is in line. But some roos are cleverly disguised. Mine had small, barely distinct saddle feathers. A small pale comb and a very weak, almost strangled crow. Could have easily been mistaken for grumble of an upset hen. He did though have two long saddle feathers that grew in on either side eventually. Well, to be clear, three of my four were obviously male. The one I am talking about is the fourth questionable one. They are all living happy lives in new homes now.
Environment...are their physical needs met? Do they have someplace safe and secure to nest down to lay their eggs? My nesting area was somewhat open inside their coop. Once I evaluated the nest box I'd built for my convenience and sense of aesthetics and looked at their needs instead, eventually replacing with an extra long milk crate on it's side, I began getting rewarded with eggs. They have trained me well. Are they protected from the elements? Are they neither too hot nor too cold? Are they blocked from the worst of the wind? Are they given enough warmth and light? Do they have room to stretch their wings and legs?
Health...another no-brainer to me. Happy healthy chickens equals happy healthy eggs. Look them over. Make sure they aren't fighting off a disease or infection. Easier said than done I have found. It's not as if Hennrietta will say to me "Mom, I don't feel so good...." But by watching them and knowing what is normal from them, I feel secure knowing when they are in best health and when they are not. Is she mentally stressed or physically stressed? Is she in a molt?
Feed...are they getting a well balanced amount of nutrients and such? A steady diet of one single food may not be the best for them, at least as I have found for my girls. Mine seem to do best with their layer crumbles, augmented by greens, and misc vegetable treats. They also get to pick clean the shells of my hubby's seafood dinners, they get to share the left overs of his tuna steaks as well. I grind their shells back to them as free choice in a seperate container. They also might get a little left over rice or pasta as well now and again. Having access to clean water is very important too.
Some breeds seem to lay later than others. And individuals within a breed also seem to lay on their own schedules. Siblings from the same clutch can vary wildly in their laying ability too. One may be a laying machine, and the other might not lay but one or two sporadically.
And lastly age...are they old enough to lay? Are they...er...advanced in years? Nothing but time itself can control that.
Anyway, it's what I have observed with my own girls. I may or may not be at all accurate. And that's the answer I have for the question I saw asked. I can't be sure this will be helpful to you, i don't know the specifics of your area, your water supply, etc etc etc. Just sharing what I have found.
