A theory for eggs in the winter

Hello fellow Permies!

This is the third winter in a row that I notice the same pattern happening with my laying hens, and I'd like to share my theory.
It is told that chicken lay according to how much light they get.
I think it has more - or also - to do with protein.
I've never worked with additional light, natural sunlight is all they get.
Apart from stopping laying for maybe a week in mid winter, they're laying through the whole year with... (drumroll...)
a supplement of dried mealworms!
I currently have 11 hens, and I give them two handfuls of dried mealworms immediately after they've gotten their soaked wheat grains in .the morning.
Sometimes I temporarely run out of mealworms, and the egglaying pattern follows the mealworm pattern.
In the spring, when nature pumps out natural, living bugs in abundance, I stop with the mealworm supplement.

I'm curious to read your experiences!

You know, I have been trying to sus out if my routine has been linked to egg laying.

I will sprout sunflower seeds and periodically give them to the chickens during the week. It seems that when I give them the sprouts, I receive more eggs the following day. The days that I do not give them the sprouts, I am back to a reduced amount.

Anecdotal, but might be tending towards supporting your theory.  

That's interesting! I'm sure they're happy with the sprouted sunflower seeds, getting a nutrition boost, and thanking you with eggs!
It would be cool to gather all egg-increasing tips here in one thread!

I have no source to back this up, but a well-respected poultry farmer in our area recently posted about the whole daylight and egg-laying thing. His claim was that a hen experiencing a longer day (whether naturally, ie: summertime, or from lights in the coop) will eat more since she is active for more hours of the day. Chickens sleeping on their roosts don't usually come down to eat in the dark, even if there is food available. He claimed the extra eating would result in more eggs being laid.

Your chickens may be experiencing something similar but, by feeding them very nutrient-dense food, it sounds like you can skip out on the lighting!