Use of Artificial Light for Winter Egg Production

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 89, Issue 5, 15 November 1954, Page 465

Use of Artificial Light for Winter Egg Production

WITH the call for increased efficiency in the poultry industry it is essential that a greater proportion of eggs be produced in autumn and winter, and this article by J. H. Jones, Poultry Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Oamaru, gives a guide on the use of artificial lights for this purpose.

TODAY the greater proportion of winter eggs are produced by the large commercial poultry farms, and the use of artificial lighting during winter plays an important part in this production. To achieve more stability in the poultry industry, and small fluctuations in the price of eggs, it is desirable that as many poultry farmers as possible should install some form of lighting system, as there is no doubt about the efficacy of such lighting. The more even annual egg production is the less will be the need for holding eggs in cold storage and for the manufacture of egg pulp, and the easier it will be to maintain a steady flow of good-quality eggs to the egg floors. Eradication of the steep price fluctuations will appeal to the consumer and should result in increased consumption. It is difficult to encourage the public to use more eggs when there are alternating periods of shortage and over-produc-tion. The artificial lighting at night of poultry flocks is unnecessary for egg production, and cannot be proved to have the effect of increasing total yearly output. The importance of artificial lighting is mainly to increase winter production, the working day being extended to 13 to 14 hours; feed is made available during these extra hours, resulting in greater consumption. Lighting stimulates the pituitary gland to produce more folliclestimulating hormone, thus leading to greater development of the ovary, and the extra food consumed provides the nutrients required for increased egg production. Lighting for Breeding Flocks If a system of trapnesting, progeny testing, or selecting breeders by their winter egg production in their pullet year is in use, it is not advisable to use lights for birds that are to be bred from the following year, as they make poor or mediocre birds appear better than they are and can interfere seriously with the selection and breeding programme. The breeder needs to find pullets which can lay well without the stimulus of artificial illumination. For breeding flocks lighting is not detrimental, but it is not considered sound to provide light for the birds until approximately a month before the eggs are to be used for hatching. Lighting for Commercial Laying Flocks To secure maximum returns it is important that stock be graded and grouped according to age and condition. Pullets of different ages and pullets and hens should always be kept in separate flocks. Lighting for pullets should not be begun too early; from about the first week in March to the first week in April is fairly safe. Beginning with lights before this

brings on heavy production in early autumn, making it almost impossible to hold the birds in high-producing condition during winter. The few early eggs gained by the earlier starting of the lights are more than offset by inevitable winter production slumps. However, the age and breed of the pullets must have a bearing on the time of year to begin using artificial lights. With early-hatched birds the first sign of a partial or neck moult is a good indication that the time has come for their use. Various Systems A number of systems of artificial lighting have been advocated by authorities. Some recommend a bright light for a short period; others a dim light for a longer period. However, for the usual type of New Zealand flock house the general recommendation is to use a 60-watt bulb for a 16ft. x 12ft. compartment housing approximately 50 birds, or approximately 1 watt per bird. In a 100-bird compartment the use of two 60-watt bulbs in separate sockets which hang from the roof on a short length of flex is recommended. The non-rigid type of socket lessens the risk of bulbs being put out of order by flying birds and accidental collisions by the attendant and

others. Very often when a time switch is being used which automatically switches the lights on and off, the first indication that a light has been fused is reduced egg production from the pen. Layers respond to lights in from 7 to 10 days, and in about 2 weeks the effect of removal of these lights will be shown by a sharp drop in egg production, which may take several weeks to pick up again. Beginning of lighting should be gradual. The first week the time switch should be set for 5 a.m., the second week for 4.30 a.m., and finally for the third and subsequent weeks for 4 a.m. Regularity in the use of light is very important and once started they should be used all winter without interruption. There is no need to change the feeding mixtures

when lights are being used. Some farmers leave mash or pellet hoppers open and others prefer to put down a feed of grain or pellets in troughs or in the litter after the birds have gone to roost. Fresh water should be available at all times. Types of Lighting Fluorescent lighting has been successfully used for this work. These lights use less than half the amount of current required for ordinary lights, but because the cost of installation is two to three times greater than that of ordinary lights, and because of the harsh treatment to which lights may be subjected in a poultry house, expenditure on the fluorescent type is hardly worth while. A suitable lamp is one hanging in a wide aluminium, bronze-coated reflector, but any reflector that will deflect the light on to the birds is better than none. Lighting should be such that the perches as well as mash hoppers, water containers, and other equipment are illuminated. The height of a lamp in the centre of the compartment should be approximately 6ft. above the floor, or if there is more than one, they should be so spaced that the distance between lights is twice the distance from the end lights to the ends of the compartment. A dull light may be used during the whole night for illuminating the mash

hoppers and water bowls only. For this a 20-watt bulb is sufficient.-- ■ -- • According to C. S. Platt, of Rutgers University, United States of America, dim red lights are most beneficial for egg production. Tests were made with 30-week-old White Leghorn pullets housed in groups of 50 from 5 October to 31 March (in New Zealand March to September). During the winter one .flock received no artificial light, another had one 60-watt white bulb per 200 ft. of floor space lighted from 3 a.m. until daybreak, and other groups had red light from dim, 10-watt bulbs for various periods during the night. All parts of the perches were within 3ft. of a red bulb. The hours of lighting tried for the red lights were 8 p.m. to midnight, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. All groups were fed a standard layers’ mash, which was available at all times, plus grain in hoppers for 1 hour late in the afternoon. Winter egg production was maintained at a higher rate in all the lighted groups than in the unlighted group, the greatest improvement being noticed in the group exposed to 8 hours of dim red light. These lights were so dim that the pullets did not leave the perches until daybreak. In contrast is an experiment in Switzerland in which good results were achieved with “shock” illumination — watts for 20 seconds at 4 a.m. and at 4.45 a.m. — from night lighting from 4 a.m. onward with 75-watt bulbs.

Time Switches For the commercial poultry keeper an automatic time switch to turn the lights on and off is recommended, a s these, if of a good make, are almost infallible and require little attention other than a weekly winding. If, however, the size of the flock does not warrant this expense, an efficient time switch can be constructed with an ordinary alarm clock. Two examples of such use are illustrated. If lights are to be used in the evening, some type of dimming device is required to get the birds back on the perches, one system being to provide a dim, 15-watt pilot light which is switched on when the main lights go out, enabling the birds to find the roost. This light is switched off by the attendant on his round in the morning.

For poultry keepers not supplied with electric power, pressure kerosene lamps can be used successfully. A 300-candlepower lamp suitably shaded will illuminate 400 to 600 sq. ft. of floor space. Naturally with this type of lighting it is necessary to take strict precautions against fire. At least 2ft. of space should be left between the top of the lamp and the roof of the poultry house. One advantage of the pressure lamp is that as the air is used up the lamp automatically dims itself, and when it is finally removed in the late evening the birds are on the perches. Precautions with Installations As with all electrical appliances on the farm the installation of electric lights in poultry houses should be undertaken only by registered electricians and the local power authority advised of the intended work. Installation by amateurs in sheds which sometimes are far from weather proof can easily lead to risk of fire and possible loss of human life. Provided ■ that attention has . been paid to general good management of the flock and that the stock are of good quality, there' is nothing difficult in the installation of lights. The main points to remember are that whatever system is used it should be kept to regularly during the whole winter and food and water should be regularly provided. Lights, of course, will not in any way improve the condition of poor birds. They will only increase the winter production of birds which have a good inherited laying capacity.

Management of Contour Irrigation Ditches

CONTOUR irrigation is confined mainly to hillsides and easier slopes of 3ft. or more of fall per chain. If the water supply is reasonably adequate, more efficient management can be achieved by satisfactory race gradient, cleaner races, and an improved contour system. Distributory systems on many farms can be improved rapidly and easily and every effort must be made to use available water. Supply races are generally satisfactory, but many contour ditches have been put in on a low gradient. This can be useful at times, but unfortunately low gradient races will not deliver water readily, siltation occurs, seepage is accentuated, rush growth is likely to predominate, and water weeds will become a bigger problem. An excessive length is frequently associated with these races and consequently irrigation is poor and slow. Clean races free of trailing grasses and water weeds assist materially in the delivery of water and ease of irrigation. Much water is wasted in irrigation through loss down natural waterways and could and should be re-utilised if topographically possible.

Aim of Management

Management should aim at the coordinated use of water, race gradient, cleanliness, and an improved system. Water previously lost from use can often be used again by the strategic emplacement of dams. Bulk supply can be diverted to other areas for re-use. Alternatively this water may be picked up in gullies and depressions . and . redirected, augmenting supplies from higher sources. Sluggish races can be realigned to a steeper grade giving better delivery. Races with a 2in. to 6in. fall per chain and race lengths of 5 to 12 chains respectively are satisfactory for delivery, whereas depth between races will vary with fall.

T.C.A. is effective against grassy weeds on banks and race beds and can be applied at 1001 b. or more per acre race length. Care should be taken to apply this material at least 6 weeks before the beginning of the irrigation season. Burning dry grass before application will allow better penetration of the T.C.A., which is best applied as a spray. This method of control eliminates race disturbance and in stony country eases seepage, indirectly assisting in sealing.

Every farm has its topographical problem of irrigation, and advice should be sought in planning a new scheme. Levelling of any area under the plough for pasture renewal is possible on easier contoured country and will help considerably in the application of water. Permanent turnouts can be installed, and greater use of level contours to back up and spread water on a wide front should be considered. Improved techniques of pasture utilisation must proceed hand in hand with contour management.

—R. C. SCHOFIELD,

Instructor in Agriculture, Department of Agriculture, Alexandra