Is this possible?

[grumpychicken]

I've been wondering,is it possible for a hen to hold more than 1 egg instead of laying it?
Our hens haven't been laying recently,since the temperature changed. This morning,my dad decided to let them out to peck around and stuff,since they usually hang in the yard instead of going down the street anymore. But,when I went to check on them,2 were missing. I checked in the pony pen,and our speckled(loudest) and one of our blondes were in the hay. Our blonde was sitting on 6 eggs,which she seemed to have laid all at once. Our speckle(which I call 'Grump/y') was still in her spot,so I went back to the house to wait. The second time I looked,there were 4 fresh eggs in her spot. Do you think this could be normal?
Thanks for any help! (Oh,and sorry for being so inactive lately.

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[MsChickenMomma]

It is impossible for chickens to lay that many eggs in one sitting. It is very likely that your hens have been laying in those spots instead of their nest boxes, for whatever reason. Hens have a tendency to do that when you free range them. My hens all do it too. You may have to just start checking in the pony pen for eggs every day.

 

[grumpychicken]

Ah,okay. We actually keep them in a pen at night,and usually let them free-range in the morning and afternoon. And I've also been wondering if they lay less eggs depending on temperature.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

Yes, chickens lay less eggs during the winter than they do any other time of year. Chickens need at least 16 hours of daylight to lay eggs, and they only lay eggs when their bodies know a chick could survive in the temperatures. Which is why they almost completely stop laying in the winter.

 

[grumpychicken]

I see. Thank you very much for helping me! I appreciate it.

 

[MsChickenMomma]

You're very welcome!