Enough prattle and bombast from D.C. -- let's spend some time on serious matters -- such as the life and times of the laying hen. Yes, I mean that bird that provides the eggs for your breakfast.
First, the hen is a bird and like all birds responds to light, from the sun directly and artificially. That's why birds build nests and lay eggs as days get longer in the spring. For laying hens to produce at capacity they need 14 -- preferably 17 -- hours of light. Obviously, in winter and fall several hours must come from light bulbs or other artificial sources.
Hens are sociable creatures and, yes, they have a pecking order and soon learn who rules whom. However, a hen can recognize only about 50 other hens. Therefore, no matter how many hens are in a house they should be provided with food, water, nests and roosting area in clusters so that each hen can avail herself of all her needs without meeting a stranger.
Now, I ask you, wasn't that more inspiring than the babble in Washington?
First, the hen is a bird and like all birds responds to light, from the sun directly and artificially. That's why birds build nests and lay eggs as days get longer in the spring. For laying hens to produce at capacity they need 14 -- preferably 17 -- hours of light. Obviously, in winter and fall several hours must come from light bulbs or other artificial sources.
Hens are sociable creatures and, yes, they have a pecking order and soon learn who rules whom. However, a hen can recognize only about 50 other hens. Therefore, no matter how many hens are in a house they should be provided with food, water, nests and roosting area in clusters so that each hen can avail herself of all her needs without meeting a stranger.
Now, I ask you, wasn't that more inspiring than the babble in Washington?
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