it's working for me. I have a really small coop, but both of my bantam cochin are laying with the help of a single solar yard lantern at the top of the coop.
I have thought of this too, no electricity near by.
Last year, my egg production was pretty steady all through the winter, but my hens were less than a year old, started laying in October and just chugged along, this year, they started the molt going into the fall, we were hit with fairly consistent long term cold weather, and the pullets were not old enough to start laying. Egg production plumetted. One or 2 eggs a day from 4 laying hens.
My pullets just started laying today
And it is a bit warmer than it has been, and we had some sunshiny days. I guess I am wondering if this is the first or second year for your hens. Did you have a drop in production, that changed with the lights?
My hens are just 6 months old and just started laying. I live in South Lousiana. 6 of my 7 are laying and I am getting 4-6 eggs a day with no supplemental lighting. I was thinking that in the fall, I would do some solar lighting if my egg production drops off. I have no outlet near the run/coop. I would have to run an long extendion cord, and just really have problems with that idea, so solar seems to be the answer. I want to look for one with a timer so that they do get some night time.
Also in about a month, I will be starting quail and am condsidering the same for them.