How early do you let your hens out to free range?

[Altairsky]

Healthy chickens can't lay everyday. They'll get salpingitis in less than 3 years. Sometimes they take a break especially in winter and when it's really hot in summer. During this break they rest their reproductive system and reduce inflammation.
Healthy chickens take breaks. We should let them rest sometime. I see forcing chickens to lay 'till they die from it as animal abuse.
Just as practical example, I have 4 laying hens. I got 4 eggs in 2 weeks last month because they all went dormant at the same time. Now they're rested and they've started again.
EDIT: Oh and my chickens free range all day, they have an auto door with light sensor.

 

[MaryJanet]

I have been reading this thread and my thought is, the main problem is that the chickens are still not fully recovered from the Red mite infestation, or maybe from a disease the rooster brought into your flock.

Are you sure the red mites are all gone?
Check at night with a torch + Make rolls from conjugated/ribbed biscuit paper and attach these under the roost and check daily. Paint the inside with diatomaceous earth if there are possibly still mite eggs hatching/ nymphs coming out of the cracks. DE only kills young mites, not the adults. If you still have bloodsuckers you need to clean thoroughly every week until they are all gone.

Besides, the food can be off balance, but chickens that free range and have a lot of exercise dont get off balance as quickly as the ones who live on a concrete floor. I would give chick feed if they need extra proteins and a balanced feed as long as the chickens don’t lay much eggs. Oyster flakes on the side, for the one who does lay. Give the chickens a choice what to eat is not bad in general but be careful with snack food. Not so much mealworms and no salted or sweetened left overs. I give mine max one handful mealworms /4 chickens a day.

Chickens are individuals, and maybe one chicken is more affected from a disease or the mites than the other. If the rooster you brought in was sick and spreaded something infectuous it could have damaged the health and ovaries of your chickens too. Some health issues heal after a rest or moult, some don’t.

Chickens flourish better if they have sunlight for a couple of hours each day as long as its not too hot. Lots of air and lots of light is good. Much space and hiding places is good too. Maybe a extra window could help, or more ventilation. How big is your coop? How much sqft ventilation gaps are there? Could you post a few photos from their coop/run outside space?

An auto pop door on time or sunlight (brightness) can help to let them free range at the times which are best for your chickens.

And good to know, chickens who get older >18 months start to moult every year and need a period to recover without laying. Most chickens moult in autumn and have a recovering period of 1-5 months depending on breed, age and individual.

Giving extra sunlight for extra eggs is not good for their health/longevity. But it often suits people who cull their chickens after 3-4 years of age. Healthy chickens with no inbreeding issues can lay up to about 10 yo, but their winter (or hot summer) breaks get longer every year. Its not just the hours of light that triggers to stop or start laying. Weather extremes, stress and health issues can let them stop to lay too ( article @BYC Project Manager)

Last thing I want to mention if you ever decide to add a rooster or new hens again. Quarantine if there are doubts about their heath (article @MaryJanet about quarantining). And read about natural rooster behaviour (article , know your rooster by @Shadrach).

Thanks for mentioning the article I wrote! Here's a link to it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/quarantine-how-i-kept-the-hens-safe-from-mareks.80099/