Influence of Daylight Hours

Solution

Understand that egg production is stimulated by daylight; hens need about 14-16 hours of light per day to lay consistently.

Explanation

Hens reaching maturity in fall or winter (when days are short) may delay laying until daylight hours increase in the spring, even if they are physically mature.

Notes

Some keepers use supplemental lighting in the coop during winter to maintain production, but this is debated regarding its impact on the hen's long-term health.