Girls started laying but I've stopped finding eggs

[Liadan]

I have 6 hens/pullets that just turned 6 mo old. A barred rock, 2 Brahma, 2 Gold laced Wyandotte and an unknown. I found 2 eggs Tuesday and 1 Wednesday. Since then I haven't found any more eggs and then today I found an egg just laying in the yard between coop and their favorite dusting spot.

Now, I admit I was a bad chicken owner and hasn't gotten boxes made until yesterday. Procrastinators unite tomorrow and all that...

So the first 3 eggs were found in a nest they had made in a corner of their coop (a converted horse stall).

I got my boxes put in yesterday and after finding an egg in the yard this morning I got a couple golf balls put in them. Total novice here, so mostly just wondering if I should have eggs more frequently and what else I can do to make sure eggs aren't laid out doors.

My girls free range btw

 

[ldawntaylor]

I have seen the suggestion to not let the birds out until later in the day. This way they have to lay inside at least. My chickens seem to lay throughout the day so I don't know how practical this is.

My birds did get better about laying in the nest box once they had been laying for a few weeks.

 

[Liadan]

The egg I found Wednesday was laid in the afternoon so I don't think that is all too practical for us. But I appreciate all suggestions

 

[aart]

With pullets, and even some older birds, time of day they lay is not 'regular'.
In general, it shifts from early to late, then they take a day off and start early again.
So you'll have to confine them 24/7 for awhile.

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.