Arrrrrgh!

There's not a great deal of information on the internet about forced moulting but this is a good place to start.

http://www.avma.org/reference/backgrounders/induced_molting_layer_chickens_bgnd.pdf

It's an American article but American hen are just the same as ours 

Be aware that if your hens lack of eggs is due to a previous virus infection a forced mould can depress their immune response.

You need to do a lot of research before doning anything like that.

Yes Hillfooter, this is very interesting.

I didn't realise that The Poultry site was Australian.  That means you have to be careful with the seasons and directions when reading it, ie March is Autumn, and North is South.  Sounds elemental, but easy to get mixed up.

Well, five days of antibiotics completed yesterday, which was partly successful.  I have had two good eggs three days running!  One of the girls that hadn't laid for a couple of months has restarted which is good news.  However, the two that are laying thin shelled eggs continue to do so.  I've bought some nutridrops, so I'm giving them to the girls today and will wait a week before deciding on whether to carry out a forced moult (which I think I might just avoid anyway!).