Is it okay to let hens stop laying?

[PiratePrincess]

My hens, bantam cochins, have all stopped laying since it started getting dark so early. Is it okay to just let them not lay for awhile or do I need to set up a light in the hen house and extend daylight artificially? I am not concerned about not having eggs at the moment but do want them to start laying again at some point. Mostly I just want to do what is best for them. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tracydr]

It's the most natural thing for them. Adding light is unnatural. I do it so that we can have eggs all winter. Here in AZ, our chickens get the summer off, I figure they get plenty of vacation.

 

[CluckyJay]

It won't hurt them to stop laying.

 

[speckledhen]

It's best to let their bodies flow with the natural rhythms, in my opinion.