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At the risk of sound like Miss Know-it- all, lets look at chicken physiology. From my educational years, I have more than a few Avian Biology classes under my belt. I have raised several psittacine and passerine birds. And, I have had my share of chickens. If you will allow me to ruminate.
As we know, bird physiology is tied to the seasons. That is why we use light to extend their day. Birds skulls are thinner that most animals. They receive light through their eyes and their skulls.
As the light increases, it stimulates the pineal gland in the skull and this increases their wellbeing and with that an increase in their appetite. The birds eat more and put on more fat. This then brings the birds into breeding condition. With longer days, this allows more time to feed and raise their young before colder weather hits. That's natures plan.
In the Southern Hemisphere, their seasons are opposite. As anyone would know trying to raise Lady Gouldian Finches. They are determined to breed in winter and raise young.
Birds at the equator get 12 hours daylight everyday so they molt all year. I will try not to go too much further. I am sure there is more science out there since I was in college.
For anyone else out there, please feel free to correct me. It has been a long time since I had my book learning and I may need to be update. Thanks.
