How Does Light Affect Egg Production?
The reason why chickens need light to lay eggs
Numerous biological processes in living things are stimulated by sunlight. It promotes photosynthesis in plants, the synthesis of vitamin D in human bodies, and of course, egg production in your chickens.
A chicken's brain responds to a certain wavelength of light by starting a series of processes that result in successful egg production:
The photoreceptors in the brain take in the light.
The production of "neuropeptides" (amino acid chains) by the chicken's brain signals the body to begin manufacturing the hormones required for ovulation, yolk and shell creation, etc.
What Kind of Lighting Is Needed for My Chickens?
Unfortunately, not just any light will cause your hens to behave in this way. The visible light spectrum, which our unaided eyes can see, has a large variety of wavelengths. Violets and blues emit wavelengths at the low end of the spectrum, while reds and oranges emit wavelengths at the high end. To promote egg production, chickens need light at the upper end of the spectrum.
