Laying under Coop

[BLaBauve]

I have several hens that just started laying this winter. They were laying in their coop for a few months, never in the nest box though, which is inside the coop.

Anyways I noticed that their egg production has dropped the last week or so. Then today I spotted a bunch of eggs under the coop. How do I get them to start laying in the coop again? I've put fake eggs in their nest boxes before and they could care less. Their coop is too small for them (I'm currently waiting on a new one), could that be a reason they don't want to lay in the coop?

Thanks!
Beth

 

[Kristian]

Try puting the coop in a more comfortable zone of theirs.

 

[math ace]

Could they be broody?

A broody hen will "Hide" her eggs sometimes.

 

[BLaBauve]

The coop isn't exactly moveable. They don't seem broody, it's their first year laying and I never notice any of them missing. The usually just go under the coop to dust bathe.

 

[Kittymomma]

I'd block it off, it's hard to explain things to chickens sometimes.