Cooped up = more eggs, or just a coincidence?

[True Grit]

Usually my chickens are in the run all day and their water and feed is there. This past Monday it was getting cold out but they were still outside. They laid 1 egg out of 5 chickens. Tues/Wed/Thurs it was super cold (like -12F at 8 am) so I kept them cooped up with a heat lamp. It isn't a very big coop either so I was worried about them but they laid 5/5/4 eggs. They had never laid 5 two days in a row before and usually the day after they lay 5 I only get 1 or 2. Today I let them out although it was -2 this morning ,as I knew it would get into the 20's today. They laid 1 egg. Is it just timing or do they automatically retain their eggs when it's cold out?

 

[sheila3935]

When mine are locked up cause of the weather seems like they lay more. I guess they are bored so they think lets lay an egg

 

[gryeyes]

Boy, that sounds like a considerable pucker factor there!

I really don't think they can "hold" their eggs. But I could be wrong.

 

[True Grit]

I like the idea of laying to relieve the boredom, and maybe they just have more time for it too, as they're not running errands, you know, up the ramp, down the ramp, what did I forget? Up the ramp, down the ramp.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Mine always lay more when cooped up too!