Egg Production really down,Broody Girls are up!

Hi,I was getting at least 20 eggs per day until recently when 4 of my girls decided they were broody,I done everything but they kept coming in and growling at me to "get out"!!

Now,four girls have their chicks but 3 more have gone broody this week.,yesterday 8 eggs,though today a dozen.

This is my first full year with hens,they were not broody when I bought them around July last year,I would appreciate any tips to try and get them back egg laying-or should i just get them some eggs to sit on!Your advice would be very welcome,I have tried cooling them off,taking them off,wet their tummies and yet they still go back into the coop.

The other girls are frustrated at not being able to use those nest boxes to lay!

Similar problem last month with one bird. Last year we found that cooling them in water worked, but this time no effect and the bird was causing others to lay anywhere. She was also a little peculiar in behaviour. Expected tail up and growl when first disturbed, but when picked up, she nestled close and wanted stroking and cuddling. Eventually we put her into a shed with water and food for two days. She hated it, but it seemed to work as the following day she was back to normal. HTH