They can lay any time (although they do have to be awake lol). I have a couple of early morning layers and one sometime-during-the-day layer. If we lock them in, at least one will run out when we let them out so fast you can barely follow to her favorite spot and lay immediately. She must be busting! Go looking and on't be surprised if there's a dozen.

Mine once laid under an old box that was waiting to be thrown out. I have no idea how they squeezed in!