We live at 6,000' so not super hot, and they are not free range. I've been around chickens for yes and you're right, really to early for molting. But....that was my guess! Thanks.
We had to put carpet in our nest boxes. The hens stand up to drop eggs and because they would move all nesting materials out, the eggs would break. Enter carpet, problem fixed and they love it!
We
Last spring we got 10-11 eggs daily from 14 hens. This yr we're getting 4-6 from 12. How can I increase the production. These hens are only Averaging 2 yrs old