Mine usually go back to their nesting boxes to lay. When they first started laying, I just kept them in the coop until their laying in the boxes had been established. Now I am keeping them more protected in the back yard after losing several so they can't get back to the coop on their own, so I keep them in the coop until they are finished laying. If they are cycling to a point where they are laying later in the day, I let them out early and put them back up at lunch time. If they talk me into letting them out without having laid yet, I listen for them. If a hen is upset because she can't get to her box, she lets me know she is upset and I go carry her back to the coop. My husband says they are spoiled and have me trained well.
