Myth or Fact? Can Supplemental Light Force Hens to Lay?

If you keep backyard laying hens, you've probably noticed that egg production naturally drops as the days grow shorter in fall and winter. This happens because hens are sensitive to day length-fewer daylight hours signal their bodies to slow down egg production. Many chicken keepers turn to supplemental lighting to help maintain a steady supply of eggs through the darker months. But does it really work, and is it healthy for your flock?

Let's break it down.

Why Light Matters to Laying Hens

Hens rely on light to regulate their reproductive cycles. The presence of light stimulates the pituitary gland, which triggers hormone production and tells the ovaries it's time to release eggs. In nature, this system ensures that hens lay the most eggs in spring and summer-when chicks would have the best chance of survival.

By adding artificial light in the early morning, you can mimic longer days and encourage hens to keep laying through the winter.

Contrary to what some may think, adding supplemental lighting to a chicken coop/run during the darker months of the year will not harm your hens or cause her to ever run out of eggs.

A baby chick is hatched with a lifetime supply of ova (yolks) already set. She will have hundreds of thousands and would take decades of daily egg production to deplete. A hen will stop laying because of old age, long before she would run out of eggs.

Do Hens Need a Break from Egg Laying?

One of the most common concerns among backyard chicken keepers is whether hens need a "rest period" from laying eggs. The truth is:

• Supplemental light does not force a hen to lay eggs if her body isn't ready or able to.

• If a hen is molting or taking a natural reproductive pause, no amount of extra light will override that cycle. Her body instinctively knows when to conserve energy for feather growth and recovery.

• Once her molt is complete and she's healthy, the added light can help her resume laying sooner.

Best Practices for Using Supplemental Light

• Provide 14-16 hours of total light per day for optimal egg production. Chickens should not receive more than 16 hours of light in a 24 hour period as they need 8 hours of darkness to get restorative sleep. Too much light can cause stress and lead to problems like feather picking.

• Use a timer so light cycles stay consistent and natural. Sudden, irregular lighting changes can stress your flock.

• Choose warm, soft light rather than harsh, bright lights to mimic daylight.

• Add light in the morning, not at night-abrupt darkness can leave chickens stranded away from their roosts.

  
  

Resources Needed to Lay Eggs

1. Age- The first two years of a hens life is the most productive. After her first year she will begin her annual molt, anywhere after June 21st which is the longest day of the year. Shortening of days stimulates their hormones to bring on molting. The molt is necessary to replenish bone stores , rebuild feather strength and let the hens gain some muscle and fat stores.

2. Diet- They need a nutritionally complete diet and clean water is essential.

3. Health- Diet plays a big role in their health.

4. Molting- When laying hens molt annually egg production will slow down if not cease completely.

5. Low Stress- A few factors can affect egg production. Attack from a predator or new chickens added to the flock.

   
   

   Choosing the Right Type of Lighting

   
   

   Not all lights are created equal when it comes to illuminating your chicken coop/run. Here are a few factors to consider when selecting the best lighting solutions:

1. Light Quality- Use full-spectrum LED lights for your coop/run, as they closely mimic natural sunlight. This helps hens adjust better and promotes their reproductive cycles more effectively.

   Rope lighting is the better option as it makes for ease of cleaning compared to mini lights. Chickens are naturally dusty as they are constantly generating new feathers.

   
   

2. Intensity- The light intensity should be moderate-to bright can stress your birds, while too dim may not provide enough stimulation.

   
   

3. Duration and Timing- It will be necessary to have your lighting in the coop and run coordinate together if they are not on the same timer, to make it possible for the chickens to access their food and water within an hour or so of waking. ( best practices with keeping chickens is that their food and water should be in the run.)

   If this is something you think you would like to provide for your laying hens, add the supplemental lighting around the end of August as the days are shortening. If supplemental lighting isn't provided until to the end of September or later, it could take the hens weeks to come back into lay.

   
   

   Final Thoughts

   
   

   Supplemental lighting can be a helpful tool for backyard chicken keepers who want a reliable egg supply year-round. It doesn't harm your hens and it doesn't override their natural cycles. If your birds need a break-whether for molting or seasonal rest-they'll take it, light or no light.

I have studied this topic through veterinarian Dr. Mike Petrik, DVM, MSC, who has training and a Master of Science in Animal Welfare from Ontario, Canada.

We purchased these Mini Rope Lights last Fall. We recommend them as they are also easy to wipe clean, as chickens generate an sufficient amount of dust.

You may also be interested in other items we have available in our ROSLIN RECOMMENDATIONS | Roslin Poultry Ranch Amazon Affiliate Shop for all your Chicken Care needs.