On Tuesday, August 3, 2004, at 04:02 PM, Rundle wrote:

> commercial chickens, even those  organic/biodynamic and pastured, are
> fed grains which apparently disrupt their hormonal balance, increasing
> their egg production.... in the wild, birds lay eggs seasonally not
> daily.
>
>

It is the breed, not hormonal imbalance that determines how many and
when hens lay. Modern egg laying breeds will continue laying most of
the year, if they get enough energy dense food and nutrients. Grain is
used because it is cheap and easy.