Egg-laying decreased significantly in the past few days.. why?

[tkpopeye]

Hello. I have 10 hens (6 months old) that began laying eggs about 2 months ago. (4 Rhode Island Reds, 3 Black Sex Links & 3 Brown Longhorns.).
It started off gradually and got up to 7-10 eggs/day about 3 weeks ago. This week, I noticed a significant drop and am only getting about 2-4 eggs/day (since about the about 5 days now).
I live in the northeastern part of CT and it is getting colder but a friend of mine who raised chickens told me that l would see an increase at the first frost(s).
Is this normal for such a rapid decrease? They get natural light from the 2 windows on the coop. Upon noticing the decrease a few days ago, l began turning on the light in the coop for about 1 hour to increase their light-exposure time.
I also feed them daily (later let’s; see photo) and they also get sink scraps, and eat the weeds and grass when l let them roam the yard and wooded area of my lot. They were laying nice, healthy & delicious eggs.
Any ideas/suggestions? Thank you

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Any way they might be hiding a nest somewhere?

 

[tkpopeye]

Welcome to BYC.

Any way they might be hiding a nest somewhere?

Thank you.

I get in there daily whereas they used to lay eggs underneath the nesting boxes. I have since boxed out under the nesting boxes to force them to lay in the boxes. For the first few days, they continued to lay in front of the boxed out area but then began ALL laying IN the nesting boxes.
I do not see any other areas/spots that they would be laying at. Spoke to my friend today and he said that the hens could be resting from laying but will be starting up again, more than likely. He is quite knowledgeable and gave me a good feeling that things are OK and just need to let nature run its course. He suggested introducing oyster shells to them to replenish their calcium intake for healthy egg laying.

 

[SummerTheAnimalGirl]

Hello! Is it getting cold where you live? Shorter colder days can cause a significant drop in egg laying habits.

 

[aart]

l began turning on the light in the coop for about 1 hour to increase their light-exposure time

It's very important that any supplemental lighting be on a timer so exposure is the same every day.

I also feed them daily

They have a good feed every hour they are awake.
Cut out the scraps.

I live in the northeastern part of CT

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!