How to Manage Lighting Well in Layer Hen Farming

Whether raising laying hens or broilers, lighting is crucial. However, their requirements for lighting conditions differ: for broiler rearing, lighting only needs to allow the broilers to see their feed and water, so that they can eat their fill, drink enough, sleep well, and put on meat; during the growing phase of laying hens, suitable lighting conditions are a necessary condition for egg production, and especially in the later stage, lighting is even more crucial for them. Lighting can not only promote the sexual maturity of chickens, but also help laying hens achieve high production. Therefore, the duration and intensity of lighting should increase as the chickens grow. To ensure high quality and high yield in laying hens, the following points should be observed in lighting management for laying hens:

1. Increase lighting intensity.

Above the aisle between two rows of chicken cages, install one 40-60 watt incandescent bulb every 3 m, at a height of 2.5 m from the ground, so that every chicken is illuminated and lighting dead zones in the chicken house are eliminated.

2. Establish a lighting program.

According to the current age in days of the flock, establish a lighting program. First set the photoperiod at 12 hours, then increase the lighting time by 0.5 hours each week until it reaches 16 hours of lighting per day, after which do not increase the lighting time further and fix the photoperiod at 16 hours.

3. Keep the bulbs clean.

The bulbs in the chicken house should be kept clean and wiped frequently, so as not to affect lighting intensity and reduce the lighting effect in the chicken house.