Raising chickens in layer cages has higher requirements for light. Farmers should pay attention to the light intensity of laying hens at different stages. Because it is an important factor affecting chicken growth. Appropriate light can increase the production capacity of hens.
Brooding period. Both the chicks and the brooding chickens are in the growth period. The light at this stage should promote the healthy growth of the chicks and have a high survival rate, but it is necessary to prevent the hens from reaching sexual maturity prematurely. Chicks can grow well under low-intensity and weak light, but in order to make them eat and drink more early and more, the daily light time can be up to 12 hours in the first week, and the light intensity can be larger, as the age increases. , The light intensity gradually decreases. This saves electricity, the chicks are also quieter, and can prevent the occurrence of pecking.
Growing period. The light time should be short, not gradually extended, and the intensity should be weak. The main purpose of this stage is to control growth and development and reach sexual maturity at the appropriate age. Premature sexual maturity not only causes low egg weight at the start of production, but also stops production shortly after the start of production due to insufficient body maturity. After that, stable and high production cannot be achieved.
Laying period. make the hens start to lay at the right time and reach the peak, to give full play to their egg-laying potential. Therefore, the light time should be long, not gradually shortened. The light intensity cannot be reduced either. Laying eggs generally use increasing or constant light, but no less than 16 hours of light per day. The laying period is very sensitive to light and can only be increased or maintained, not reduced.
When supplementing the light, the power supply should be reasonable and stable, and the bulb settings should be evenly distributed, and there should be no dark areas. The two rows of light bulbs are arranged staggered, and it is appropriate to use about 3 watts per square meter of floor in the house. The artificial lighting time that needs to be supplemented can be supplemented in half before dawn and after sunset. A light timer can be installed, or an automatic light controller can control the light on and off time every day.