molting or laying elsewhere

[Ravishaw]

my hens have been producing some record numbers of eggs.

And then they quit. Maybe one here, one there. If they're molting or taking a break that's fine and I'm not too worried. What I DON'T to find out is that they've been sneaking off laying somewhere else.

So I am locking them in the coop for most of the day, and having my wife let them go after the kids go down for naps, so they have about 3 hours to range around before bedtime.

Suggestions?

 

[mychookschick]

Well... It is a little late for molting... Do they look like they are molting?!

It is getting pretty cold so, a lot of chickens slow down in laying, if not stop all together... What kind do you have?

BTW: This should be in "Chicken Behaviours and Egglaying"...