Egg laying drama

[IslaBean]

I have 3 girls who are about a year and a half old, and 2 that are about 6 months old. My 3 hens have always been pretty good layers, I usually get 2-3 eggs a day from them. However, the last month I’ve been lucky just to get 2 eggs. I’m not sure if maybe they have a secret nest somewhere because I’ve looked through the barn and there are no nests in there. If they did have a secret nest, how come they occasionally lay in the coop too? I also think that my two pullets are getting old enough to start laying, yet I’ve never seen them in any of the nesting boxes. Are my chickens hiding their eggs from me? If so, how can I get them to use the nesting boxes again? I’ve thought about not letting them free range for a few days, but they’d be just miserable if they weren’t let out. Any advice is helpful! Thanks!

 

[IslaBean]

Anyone know what I can do? I’d like to start having eggs for breakfast again!

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's possible they're about to molt (1 of mine is in the middle of it, another molted very lightly and is done for now).

 

[New2Chicks97]

I had to start keeping mine in the run/coop until they laid because they were taking off and laying eggs everywhere! They laid in secret nests, in my haystack, in the neighbors tall grass next door and in the pile of stuff we were taking to the dump! Chickens are such weirdos sometimes.

 

[Mama Farley]

We had construction equipment on our property and locked the chicks in the coop for their protection. We got 3 x as many eggs that day! And we let them out by noon! Lock em up for a few hours and see? It won’t hurt them!

 

[aart]

Definitely molting time, 'tis the Dark Season.
Most my hens(18-30mo) have stopped laying and are molting,
the 20wo pullets are slowly coming into lay.

Here's how to tell....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

If the exam shows they appear to be laying, lock em up!
Free range birds sometimes need to be 'trained'(or re-trained) to lay in the coop nests, especially new layers. Leaving them locked in the coop for a week or so can help 'home' them to lay in the coop nests. Fake eggs/golf balls in the nests can help 'show' them were to lay. They can be confined to coop and maybe run 24/7 for a few days to a week, provided you have adequate space and ventilation, or confine them at least until mid to late afternoon. You help them create a new habit and they will usually stick with it. ..at least for a good while, then repeat as necessary.