Supplemental Lighting For Homestead Laying Hens

One of the most frequent questions I receive from homesteaders this time of year is, “How can I keep my chickens laying during the winter?” Winter egg production, especially here in the north east, is challenging to say the least. You might have a draft free coop, keep plenty of feed in front of them, and keep their water thawed but the biggest thing working against us this time of year is the lack of daylight hours. The optimal number of daylight hours for egg production is 15 hours and by December we have under 9 hours. Probably the easiest thing homesteaders can do to increase winter production is to provide some supplemental lighting.