Layer breeds like production reds are intensively bred on refined artificial diets and can only lay that many eggs a year on that diet, or a very high protein diet, but their own needs aren't being met, as the rough feathers, early cessation of laying, usually early death, and terrible moulting shows. Yes, some of it has its basis in genetics but it's amazing how much of it changes and vanishes on a kinder diet. If you put them on a lower protein or healthier diet a lot of them will stop laying as frequently and go into serious regeneration. They'll end up with shiny and strong feathers, their eggs will have that gloss and strength and rich colored yolk, with a milder taste, they'll keep laying for longer, and if you plan to eat the bird it'll be of more benefit to you. I'm personally happier to know that the eggs and flesh are healthier for me, I don't care about each bird being super-reliable in egg laying; I keep mix-breed and mongrel dual-purpose different aged birds so there's never a shortage of eggs or edible chooks no matter the season.
My diet, starting out, was far from perfect, but has worked very well for me. The most recent changes are of moving onto a completely organic diet but initially it wasn't organic and the flocks were exemplary despite that. Anyways I started with coarse grain mix (corn, red sorghum, wheat/barley, black sunflower seeds) and would give them about a clove of raw minced garlic each per day, and a pinch of granulated kelp. I fed them back their shells and of course gave shell grits. For protein and other nutrients I'd give copra, bran, rolled oats, millet, raw milk, etc. Also I'd ad-lib give random stuff like veggie and fruit scraps, apples, raw onion, dried herbs, tabasco sauce on wholemeal bread sometimes to get any worms that might be there despite the garlic (though I've never had a problem with worms or lice/mites/coccidiosis/respiratory infections as the constant garlic prevents that). Also honey and raw cow milk (lived on a farm so both were free/affordable) and let them freerange in forest and paddock. The diet varied a lot depending on the season and their needs but that's basically it. Most of those ingredients are random additives rather than staples. I also gave apple cider vinegar.
I think the three most important aspects of all that are: raw garlic as a staple, kelp as a staple, and free ranging. But you could easily add fermented feed and ACV into the most important list. Since I'd mix it all together in a pot with some water or milk to make the kelp stick to the feeds I was accidentally making fermented feed, which is great for them. Now I know... lol. Used to try to stop them eating old soaked grains in case of mold. No need, it turned out. They deliberately buried their feed and left it to ferment further, in fact. They knew. I did a little research and set up a deep litter composting system for them in their main coops as cleaning it out so often made them sick, as strange as it sounds. But I can't vouch for the bacteria and natural microorganisms where you live so you may want to see if that's worked for anyone near you. Basically I think if you've got a naturally composting forest floor anywhere near you it should work. Lime is good a couple of times a year as the composting gets started. Getting everything started and settled into a healthy balance is the initial challenge, but once it is, the healthy bacteria and microorganisms and fungi will control most of your disease, mold and parasite problems.
I certainly spent more on them than the standard pellets and grain mix but my birds never had the problems that come with that diet. I bring in outside birds who were raised on that diet for years, put them on the diet I feed mine and watch the transformation. Though they were healthy by most standards in the first place, they end up so much better. We originally got the chooks for our health's sake as there are many health issues in my family, so any goodness put into the birds came right back to us via eggs and flesh and this was of great benefit to the neediest among my family. No artificial antibiotics or drugs could be used due to some sensitivities in some family members so I had to learn how to do it the natural way. I can honestly say it's been lifesaving and it's now a way of life for us. Whatever your choices are and whatever you find works for you, I wish you and yours all the best.
