what's going wrong?

[avroncotton]

I have had chooks for a couple of years now but recently our 11 hens have been producing less and less eggs, however there have not been any eggs for three days now. Some off the birds are getting on a bit but most of them are under 18 months and are rhode island reds. The has been lots of moulting going on and it is now the end of autumn here in Australia. Any advise please?

 

[silkiechicken]

Sounds like your mature hens are shutting down shop and prepairing for winter. I wouldn't worry too much. As soon as moult is over, they should start up again.

 

[kstaven]

You said they where moulting? Chickens stop laying during this time, as their energy is used to produce new feathers. You also have decreasing hours of light and a cooling in daytime temperatures which will cause chickens to slow down or stop laying.