Daylight hours for laying hens in winter, rules and lighting conditions

The length of daylight hours for laying hens in winter is of great importance. This parameter affects productive birds. Using the duration and intensity of lighting in the chicken coop, it is possible to regulate the development of birds, provide them with adequate rest, and control the quantity and quality of eggs. This is why it is so important to properly organize the poultry house lighting system. It must be not only effective, but also safe.

What does light affect?

Regardless of seasonal factors, it is recommended to accustom chickens to stable lighting from the very beginning. Egg-bearing birds begin to lay eggs at 4 months. In meat-egg breeds, this occurs within six months. It is impossible to constantly maintain bright lighting.

Intensity

Chickens see poorly in the dark, but are dependent on the intensity of light. They are more sensitive to this indicator than mammals.

Depending on the light intensity, the brain sends impulses to organs and systems. They affect sleep, development, appetite, and reproduction. This means that most physiological processes in the body of chickens can be regulated with the help of light.

In sunny weather, experts recommend shading the chicken coop. Excessive amount of light not only negatively affects productivity parameters, but also leads to egg pecking. Too intense illumination provokes cannibalism, aggressive behavior, and high morbidity among birds.

Length of daylight

The length of daylight hours affects many processes - primarily the quantity and quality of eggs. The following features depend on this indicator:

• egg weight and size;
• the process of development and maturation of chickens;
• shell thickness;
• bird health;
• bird rest;
• metabolic processes;
• chicken weight

At the same time, the lights should be turned off at night. Using lamps for too long has negative consequences.

Pros and cons of different types of lamps

Different types of lamps are used to illuminate the chicken coop. Each of them has advantages and disadvantages.

Incandescent lamps

This is the most budget and environmentally friendly option. Incandescent lamps are characterized by ease of use.They have a simple design, are easy to change and are used to heat the room. In addition, such products provide good illumination.

Incandescent lamps can be used in cold rooms. They are used for spot heating. Thanks to such devices, it is possible to heat cages with chickens. The disadvantage is the short service life.

Fluorescent Lamp

This is a great option for a chicken coop. Such lamps are considered a source of smooth white light. They are reliable and durable. The cost of such models is relatively low. At the same time, they are considered very economical. Disadvantages include the need to dispose of devices.

Energy saving lamp

Such devices allow you to reduce energy costs and obtain the required spectrum of lighting. The disadvantage is the high cost. In addition, such devices contain mercury, so they must be disposed of properly.

In chicken coop conditions, such lamps often last less than the required period. At the same time, the ability to regulate lighting allows you to minimize the stress of birds during capture.

LED bulbs

Such lamps are characterized by a long service life - more than 50 thousand hours. Today, there are special versions of LED devices that are used in poultry farms. Such models are easy to use. They operate at different temperatures.

In addition, LED lamps are economical, resistant to high humidity and pollution. They allow you to control the light intensity, which is important in a chicken coop. The disadvantage of such devices is their high cost, but they pay for themselves quickly.

How to properly arrange a lighting system in a chicken coop

To achieve good results in arranging a lighting system in a poultry house, you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations in advance.

How to calculate light brightness

The lighting in the room in which mature birds live should be at a level of 10-15 lux. In parent stock, this parameter should be at least 15 lux. With such indicators, roosters are most active.

It is worth considering that lighting of more than 20 lux is dangerous. It can cause high aggressiveness in birds.

Lamp color

The shade of the lamp affects the behavior of chickens:

• blue – has a calming effect and reduces symptoms of aggression;
• blue-green – ensures rapid maturation of young animals;
• orange – stimulates puberty in chickens;
• red – copes with manifestations of aggression and symptoms of cannibalism, but at the same time reduces productivity.

In most cases, farmers use white light bulbs. In this case, the flickering effect should not exceed 26,000 Hertz. Higher rates negatively affect the eyesight of birds.

Installation locations

The lamps should be placed in such a way that when entering the chicken coop a person does not touch them with his head. At the same time, he should be able to easily reach the lamps by hand in order to replace or repair them. The average ceiling height is 1.8-2 meters.

It is advisable to cover the lamps with shades, which will provide protection from dust and water. It is important that the protection is strong. Otherwise, birds may accidentally damage the lamps.

When carrying out lighting, it is worth minimizing the use of cables. A wet floor and other unfavorable factors can cause a short circuit.This creates a danger to the lives of birds. It is recommended to install the shield outside the room.

When keeping birds in cages, the wires should be placed above the batteries. When placing feeders in cages, it is worth using additional lighting sources inside.

When to turn it on

In winter, it is recommended to turn on the lamps early and turn them off late.

As a result, chickens should have 14 hours of continuous light. It is important to ensure that there are no sudden fluctuations when turning the light sources on and off. This will help the birds synchronize with the regime and establish metabolic processes within the format.

It is advisable to use a timer in the chicken coop. This will help make the farmer's life easier. Experts advise choosing the simplest models for small chicken coops. The device is plugged into a power outlet and connected to the wiring. Then you should choose the optimal program.

Development of lighting programs for chickens of different ages

For broiler chickens and laying hens, it is recommended to choose the right lighting mode. It is worth considering their age:

• in the first day of life, 1 hour of darkness is required;
• after reaching a weight of 150 grams, 9 hours of darkness are required;
• hens 22 days old require 8 hours of darkness;
• 23-day-old birds are given 7 hours of darkness;
• 24 days require 6 hours of darkness;
• 1-5 days before slaughter, chickens need 1-6 hours of darkness.

The length of daylight hours affects the physiological processes of birds. To increase their productivity, it is recommended to correctly select the intensity and duration of illumination.