Lighting to promote egg production This is especially true if they’re coming into lay in autumn, when the days are getting shorter. If you do want to control lighting, safe access to electricity is important. Easy cleaning Do yourself a favour, and design your hen house to be practical and easy to clean. Good hygiene is critical to keeping healthy and productive chickens, but you don’t want to spend your whole weekend cleaning up after them. PART 3 ESTABLISHING YOUR OWN HOME FLOCK PROPER LIGHTING DOES A LOT MORE THAN SET THE MOOD IN THE HEN HOUSE. YOUR HENS NEED A MINIMUM OF 15 HOURS OF LIGHT PER DAY TO REACH OPTIMAL EGG PRODUCTION. 28 | THE CHOOK BOOK