Egg Laying Questions from a Newbie

[minou33]

I am new to chickens and haven't had any experience with laying yet (my girls are 14 weeks old). In preparation for their laying, I have a few questions:

1. We already had a coop that had been built into our barn from the previous owners. The coop is basically a closet within the barn. It has one window that faces into the barn, but no window that produces sunlight. Therefore, it is always somewhat dark inside the coop. The chickens don't seem to like going in there during the day and only go in at night when I turn the light on. I'm wondering if this means they will avoid laying eggs in the nesting boxes because of the darkness?

2. Our chickens do not free range (we live in the mountains with all kind of predators). We use a chicken tractor during the day so they can get some access to grass. Will this effect their egg laying if they are moved from their nesting boxes? Or are they comfortable laying anywhere?

 

[The Happster]

Chickens actually prefer a place that is a bit dark to lay. Obviously they'll need to be able to see where they are going- chickens don't have great eyesight in the dark, but provided it isn't too dark, it should be fine.
They will want to go in their chosen eggbox. If you have an eggbox where they are roaming it ought to be fine, but if they can't access a good laying spot they will either lay on the floor, or, as I've found more often,

 

[minou33]

Chickens actually prefer a place that is a bit dark to lay. Obviously they'll need to be able to see where they are going- chickens don't have great eyesight in the dark, but provided it isn't too dark, it should be fine.
They will want to go in their chosen eggbox. If you have an eggbox where they are roaming it ought to be fine, but if they can't access a good laying spot they will either lay on the floor, or, as I've found more often,

What would a eggbox look like for roaming?

 

[aart]

I'd add a widow for some sunlight.
Might also want to build a run for when snow flies and moving a tractor around is not going to be ideal.