Wintertime Lighting Solutions for Your Flock

If you have been in the small flock game for any amount of time, you have become very familiar with several undeniable truths. A few examples are: Chicken math really exists, chickens love Black Soldier Fly larvae from Egg Brigade (cheeky, we know), and, at least on one occasion, your favorite chicken will give you a fright when you look out the window and think it is dead….

    ....only to find it is just enjoying the sun.

Sunlight is crucial for the health, productivity, and well-being of your birds. It affects their circadian rhythm, sleep, feeding patterns, and mating behaviors. Sunlight also helps regulate body temperature and prevents stress.

Sunlight is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D in poultry. This nutrient is vital for the calcium absorption, aiding in the development of strong bones and eggshells while stimulating the production of reproductive hormones, leading to higher egg production rates. 

Of course, the benefits of sunlight exposure are enhanced when you provide additional Black Soldier Fly Larvae to your flock to help them flourish in the winter months.

Let’s explore the benefits of light management on egg production.  Fresh water, the extra protein, fat, and minerals like phosphorus and calcium found in Black Soldier Fly larvae, and an aggressive light management strategy can help mitigate the egg yield reduction expected in the winter without compromising your bird’s overall health.

However, there is reduced sunlight in the Winter because of the shortened days, so let’s explore artificial light options available to extend beneficial light exposure.

** Before we continue, there are two things to keep in mind. First, if the light augmentation you choose involves electricity, be diligent in preventing fires. Second, remember that decreased egg production resulting from the shortened days in winter is not necessarily a bad thing because it affords your hens a rest and refit period.  As Veterans, we appreciate a little R&R.  There was this one time, in Bagram... **

Understanding the color spectrum given off by a light source will assist you in selecting an alternate light source which can deliver the proper amounts of red, green and blue light. The visible light spectrum is defined as the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye or animal eye. Spectrum wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm) determines the color of the light. For example, blue is 430nm to 490nm with red being in the 700nm range.  In the graph below on the right, we can see the photopic vision, or visible light, of humans in the dashed curve compared to light visible to chicken with the solid line.

In poultry, red light is vital for stimulating sexual maturity and egg production. Red light can penetrate the skull to stimulate the extra retinal photoreceptors in the Pineal land and the Hypothalamic Gland. Birds exposed to red light versus blue, green or white light consistently have higher egg production than the other color groups. Research has shown that blue and green LED lights enhance growth, resulting in better body weights and uniformity of physique.

So which artificial lights should you consider?  Let’s explore a down-and-dirty look at the pros and cons for a few options.

 

1. NATURAL SUNLIGHT          

Pros

• Full spectrum light ranging from UV to IR

• Poultry houses designed to utilize natural daylight may require little or no artificial light, saving on energy costs.

Cons

• The spectral composition and intensity of sunlight changes from dawn to noon to dusk, from season to season, sunrise to sunset, and with cloud cover.

• Overcoming seasonal changes in day length can be difficult.

• High light intensity may cause aberrant behaviors such as nervousness, feather pulling, pecking and cannibalism.

 

2. INCANDESCENT LIGHTS

Pros

• Inexpensive

• Good red spectrum output

• Excellent light distribution

• Quick to turn on

• No difference in performance when used in cold weather

Cons

• Short lifespan and must be frequently replaced

• Usually constructed of metal and glass and are prone to break

• More than 90% of the energy used by the bulb goes to heat rather than light.

• Many types of incandescent bulbs do not comply with new energy efficiency standards.

 

3. COMPACT and LINEAR FLUORESCENT LIGHT

Pros

• Energy efficient

• Relatively inexpensive

• Similar color spectra as incandescent bulbs

• Available in both warm and cool spectra

• Proven success in layer and breeder industries

• Dropdown tube lights allow for more uniform light distribution at all vertical levels in a multitiered cage or colony system

• Casts a broad, even light in floor houses and fewer light fixtures required because of the higher output of a larger tube

Cons

• Contain mercury

• Uncovered spiral tubes may be difficult to clean

• Made from metal and glass and are prone to break

• Bulbs require several minutes to reach maximum light intensity when turned on

• Poor performance in cold weather

• Not ideal in situations where light must be turned on and off multiple times per day

• Requires an electronic ballast to regulate current and voltage supplied to the lamp

 

4. LIGHT EMITTING DIOD (LED)                   

Pros

• Provides a full spectrum of light

• Typically, the most efficient light bulb measured in lumens per watt

• Because LEDs do not emit infrared radiation (heat), they can be constructed out of non-glass materials that are waterproof and shatterproof.

• Typically manufactured from non-toxic materials

• Can be designed to focus the light onto desired areas

• Color spectrum of the light can be adjusted

• Easier to dim than CFL bulbs

• Dimming can extend bulb's lifespan

• Very long lifespan – up to 10 years at 16 hours per day (50,000 – 60,000 hours)

• Rapidly reaches peak light intensity after being turned on

• Ideal for areas where lights are frequently turned on and off

• Efficient in cold weather with no change in performance

Cons

• Must use the proper dimmer, otherwise the light may flicker and burn out more quickly

• LED light is directional and requires an appropriate lens to focus light, or appropriate diffusers to cover a broader area

• The efficiency of heat fins is reduced with dust build-up, poor ventilation around the bulb, or putting the bulb in a “jelly jar” for waterproofing

• Testing in the house may be required to determine when bulbs should be changed

• Cheaper LED lights may not have an appropriate heat sink, spectrum, hardware or warranty for poultry environments

While there are many choices in lighting available to the chicken owner, LED lights are becoming very popular due to the combination of energy efficiency, reliability and long bulb life. Lower product costs and improved efficiency and application of LED lights can be expected in the future.

The standard level of light for maximum production is 16 hours.  Light stimulation (usually an increase of as little as one hour) has been found to have an immediate effect on the productivity and well-being of your birds.

And of course, don’t forget to feed them those Black Soldier Fly Larvae throughout the Winter. The nutrients found in the larvae are vital in boosting your hen’s egg production in tandem with appropriate light management, and setting them up for a successful boom in the Spring. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible for poultry to be productive in the Winter months and come into the Spring with a beautiful coat of feathers!

BSFL from Egg Brigade are an excellent source of protein, fats and essential minerals harvested in the United States under strict quality-controlled environments. Available as a single purchase or ongoing subscription, we offer 1lb, 2lb, 5lb, and 10lb options to accommodate any short / long diet plan, as well as any contingency preparations or wintertime needs.

We would love to see what other Winter DIY ideas you come up with to manage light exposure! Let us know in the comments.