If you need eggs for eating, the addition of light is a necessity unless you have birds bred for winter laying.
Sounds like you have a really good plan and reasons for winter lighting...which is what I am enjoying in the discussion thread....personal reasons for lighting backed by actual experiences of how it effects the flock. (Like WOS, I am also looking for research and factual data from both sides of the issue).
I have a different situation here so I have decided not to light at this time...and am really curious...what breeds would you consider "bred for winter laying."
I am attempting to manipulate my flock such that I have some breeds that are natural winter layers as I don't prefer to add lighting right now. (If we do, it would take quite a bit of expense and some rebuilding as we won't do the extension cord/light again...burned a coop to the ground that way and thankfully not the house or the whole neighborhood.)
Thanks for any input.
Lady of McCamley