Brown Leghorn stopped laying in California

If my girls aren't naturally laying, I'd rather give them a break than fake sunlight. I'm curious, though, whether coaxing out more eggs with light when they're young affects egg production later. Anyone read any studies on this? Or have any hunches based on experience?
 
If my girls aren't naturally laying, I'd rather give them a break than fake sunlight. I'm curious, though, whether coaxing out more eggs with light when they're young affects egg production later. Anyone read any studies on this? Or have any hunches based on experience?
I don't think any viable long term studies have been done...none I've seen.

They are born with more 'eggs' than they'll ever lay...lights or not....and actually can produce more.
But it can be hard on them not to get a 'break'.....some birds it would affect, some not as much.

It can cause funky molting patterns, this I've seen first hand....
....laid all fall and winter then molted in spring, so lost production anyway just at different time of year.
I've read from folks who light all the time, that they molt in fall anyway.

There are many variables, and many ways to apply the light,
that there are no finite conclusions, tho many will cite some.

Do what you are comfortable with.
 
I am happy to report that my girl started laying again. She just had a mini molt was all and took a break for about a month. Interestingly, her earlobes turned yellow well she took time off. They are bright white again! So neat! I read and another thread here that they pull pigment from the tissues for their yolks, which makes sense, at least in my story. I feel so fortunate that my girls are still laying right now! I think they're happy.
 

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