Egg laying issues advice needed

[Sweet Road Island Reds]

I have 9 road island reds, and they are around 2 years old. In the summer and even during the winter they produce about 4-6 eggs a day. I noticed they lay better when they have the all flock feed at 20% protein. I had no issues with egg eating or production after I switched from the layer feed. I do give them a probiotic in their water everyday. The weather in iowa is warm one week where they are in the yard and laying really good, because they can get out and be happy chickens. But today is it 30 and snowing and they only laid 2-4 eggs these past couple weeks. I didn’t think much of it because two of my hens had sour crop, and it takes a couples weeks to recover fully from that, eating and laying wise. I have also noticed one of my hens eats an egg almost every day. It is not crowded in the coop there are 5 roosts. The dimensions are 8 feet long by 4 feet wide and tall for 9 birds. I have a heat lamp on 24/7 and I try and get them out for at least an hour a day, as I have an area with a roof and plastic walls so they are out of the wind. I also think the weather could be stressing them. I think 30 or below is too cold especially with the wind. I know they are made for -20 degrees but I like my birds comfortable and warm (because I hate being cold). The coop is at 65-70 it was there almost all winter. The issue is in iowa we have a few warm days where they can fill their crops with grass and bugs and the lay good. Then the next day it’s freezing rain and they are inside all day. They have access to a huge bowl of mushy food (pellets and water as a paste so they can eat it easier) they love it. They also have a big dog water bowl along with clean roosts and egg boxes. They are all curled up under the light, I have a camera in there. I have not noticed any bulling or fighting I check their crops in the morning and they are all close to empty. (Some eat during the night since I leave the light on). They have grit in their food i sneak it in there because they don’t eat it if I put it in a bowl. They were outside the other day but it was only 40 with 20 mile an hour winds.


My question is do I switch to layer pellets 16% protein and 3.7% calcium or stay with the 20% protein and 1.7% calcium and see if the warmer weather and waiting for my other two girl to recover. Before I got 2-4 eggs on layover feed and 4-7 on protein.

 

[aart]

Is the light still on 24/7?
That could screw things up.

Do they free range?
Might be laying out in range area.

 

[Sweet Road Island Reds]

Yes but it has been on 24-7 since November December. I have only left it off a couple nights when it was 60 for a week and it didn’t seem to bother them. They usually lay better with the light on all night rather then be in the yard when it’s cold. They do free range on half an acre, but I’ve checked the one spot I’ve found eggs in the past, and there is nothing there. They have not been able to free range much this year since there is no leaves / the weather is too cold most weeks.

 

[aart]

Did they molt last fall?

Non stop light is not good for them....even red light can affect the pineal gland and subsequent hormone cascade.

 

[Sweet Road Island Reds]

Yes most of them did some soft molts and a couple hard molts. I do have the red light I read it is safe for them as it lets them sleep but I did not know it could harm them… The light never seemed to bother them before. They always produced well and looked healthy. As in good weight shiny feathers good color even in their legs they kept preening and eating the only issue is they like to eat wood chips sometimes that’s the bedding. Other than that I never thought it could be an issue rather than not as good quality of sleep.