Previously prolific hens have stopped laying

[LaBelleSauvage123]

I have two Lohmans who are about 2.5 years old. From the moment we got them ( at point of lay) to autumn 2022 they were brilliant layers - laid an egg a day each, even through their first winter. But this autumn they stopped and haven’t started again. They share their food, large coop and enclosure with a Buff Orpington who is laying regularly though not every day. They are a peaceful flock with no signs of bullying. However last year they did shed a lot of feathers and developed bald patches. It wasn’t moult time and they didn’t have mites. At the time we had a Copper Maran - when she died the Lohmans gradually grew their feathers back so we assume she was the one doing the pecking. The Buff wasn’t affected.
Do hens run out of eggs if they’ve been very prolific at an early age? Is there anything we can do to get them laying again? Is it trauma related? They are the most lovely, friendly hens ( Unlike the Buff who is a skittish diva!)

All hens have a finite number of eggs in them (same as us), so if they lay daily when young they will run out sooner than if they were every other day. But 2.5 years is still young for that.
When mine go off lay and it isn't the expected time of moulting or winter it is always some stress or other on their system.
So parasites, heat, feather loss+regrowth from illness or bullying, nutrition depletion etc

So given you can't identify the cause but there was recent feather loss I'd go at it from all round health support. Nutrient supplements, make sure worming etc up to date, and they have enough shade etc to escape the heat as best as possible.

Thanks - will try that. It’s likely I guess as the Buff wasn’t affected and is still laying.

Could be a sign of calcium deficiency. It's really common. I would say since there is feather loss as well it's going to be a nutritional issue. Even if they have oyster grit or layer's pellets it doesn't mean they are absorbing enough.

Give black soldier fly larvae a go. They have lots of protein and essential fats and the right amount of phosphorus. And even if they don't get them laying again they absolutely love them - they're alive and ours love hunting them like nothing else! We subscribe weekly through a British company that's loads cheaper than buying from pet shops or the reptile places.

Thanks - never heard of those!

No problem! I order from www.econourish.co.uk I do the weekly subscription it's about £9 a week for all of mine. I have 6 really dinky bantams so only buy for 3. Don't have to do weekly though they do once or twice a month.