Chicken Coop Lighting: Light Management at Different Times
Directory:
1. Brooding Phase
2. Post-Laying Phase
3. Egg-laying Phase
4. Late Egg-laying Phase
The laying hen industry has experienced significant growth, leading to the rise of numerous large farms. The introduction of modern breeding facilities and enhanced management practices among breeders have gradually refined and optimized the approach to laying hen breeding, particularly in balancing treatment and prevention, as well as evolving breeding philosophies. Research and practical experience in this field have demonstrated that effective chicken coop lighting management plays a crucial role in the production performance of hens. Proper chicken coop lighting management can enhance the productivity of chickens, resulting in more stable economic returns for farmers.
1. Brooding Phase
During the brooding phase, chickens are quite vulnerable and require extra care and protection. Since their vision is not fully developed at this stage, it is essential to provide extended lighting to help them with activities like feeding and drinking. As the chickens grow, their organ functions improve, and once their vision normalizes, they no longer need prolonged exposure to bright light. Initially, continuous lighting is necessary throughout the early brooding period; from 4 to 6 days of age, the lighting duration can be reduced. After 40 days, lighting should be limited to about 8 to 10 hours to support their growth needs. Failing to manage lighting as outlined can lead to difficulties in feeding and drinking for young chicks, hindering their development and potentially causing various health issues, increased mortality, and higher breeding costs. Additionally, the growth rate of surviving chickens may slow down, negatively impacting their future production performance. If lighting is not decreased in the later brooding stage, chickens may overeat, gain excess weight, and develop fatty liver. Therefore, it is crucial to adhere strictly to the lighting guidelines in the brooding area.
2. Post-Laying Phase
Once chickens begin laying eggs, it is important to closely monitor the lighting conditions. Providing light too early can lead to excessive feeding, which negatively affects their weight, growth patterns, and the development of a mature skeleton and reproductive system. Even though the chickens start laying eggs, an immature skeleton can lead to fatigue and reduced egg production, ultimately impacting the peak laying period and the farm's economic returns. Conversely, if the lighting is too dim, it may not adequately stimulate the reproductive system's development. To address this issue, it is essential to follow the lighting standards. After the onset of egg laying, the egg production rate should serve as a key indicator for adjusting the lighting.
3. Egg-laying Phase
Anal pecking and feather pecking are common issues on farms. Prolonged lighting can exacerbate these problems, but reducing light intensity can negatively impact the chickens' production performance. It's important to consider the distance between the light source and the chickens, ensuring that the light intensity exceeds 10.76 Lux. Some farms utilize H cages and trapezoidal cages, which can lead to variations in how the light panels are installed and operated. For instance, the arrangement of light sources differs between fully enclosed and semi-open chicken coops. An improper layout can result in uneven light intensity across different areas of the chicken coop, ultimately affecting production performance. In certain open chicken coops, lighting typically combines natural and artificial sources, with lights being turned on in the morning and evening. During the initial laying phase, light intensity should be gradually increased, and a more effective approach is to provide additional light in the morning, aligning with the chickens' physiological needs and potentially advancing their egg-laying period.
4. Late Egg-laying Phase
During the late egg-laying phase, many farmers tend to increase both the duration and intensity of lighting to prolong the chickens' egg-laying cycle and boost economic returns. While this practice is generally acceptable, it is crucial to regulate the lighting duration. To enhance production performance and egg yield during this phase, a reasonable lighting duration is 16 hours. If the lighting is excessively increased beyond 17 hours, it may actually hinder the chickens' egg-laying performance.
The laying hen industry is continually evolving. Some breeders, in their pursuit of higher egg production rates, excessively use high-nutritional feeds without considering the influence of lighting on the chickens' production performance. This oversight leads to increased breeding costs and unsatisfactory economic returns. It is hoped that laying hen breeders will prioritize chicken coop lighting management and adhere strictly to the lighting system, thereby fostering the ongoing development and growth of the laying hen industry.
5. Related Product
