LED light for poultry houses. All things come in threes...
It has been long known that light can have a noticeable influence on the productivity of our animals. In the last few years in particular, the bridge between animal welfare and the profitability of a modern poultry enterprise has been built. So the last critic also had to realize that the step to a high-quality lighting system can be a worthwhile decision.
But what kind of lighting should it be? Just bright, or colourful, or can we expect more?
One could speak of “fine-tuning” if one, as an outsider, takes a look at modern agriculture. Poultry farming has long been relying on the support of precision technology and know-how. In addition to numerous requirements for the housing conditions, the poultry house lighting also plays a significant role in the overall system.
Defined by the German legislation, the German Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Ordinance ( TierSchNutzV ), state very clearly and unanimously in their communications that “(...) artificial light that matches natural light as closely as possible” is desirable in the barn.
So please allow us a short detour into biology and chemistry in order to better understand the topic: The eye, as a complex sensory organ, is used for the optical perception of environmental stimuli. The light-sensitive sensory cells of the retina make it possible to see in black and white in the dark, as well as color vision in daylight. The human eye has two different light-sensing cells named after their shape: the cones and the rods. The rods are responsible for twilight and night vision, the cones in turn are needed for the perception of colors during the day. Humans have three different types of cones, which enable the perception of around 2.3 to 10 million colors.
Birds have a 4th type of cone. They are able to perceive and use ultraviolet areas of the light spectrum.
An additional important factor is the so-called "flicker frequency", which we measure as a frequency value in Hz or fps . We humans have an image resolution ( flicker detection ) between 15 and 80 Hz. According to the latest findings, domestic fowl sees flicker in the 160 Hz range. From the guiding principle of research, we understand that visual perception and the associated needs of domestic fowl differ from ours. It is also interesting that hens need the light to support egg production with the hormonal influence of the hypothalamus .
So it was probably a reaction to the needs of the animals when the TierSchNutzV decided, at least 3% light openings as a requirement for fattening and laying breeds. Unfortunately, most conventional windows often filter the UV component almost completely, so that the desired "natural daylight" cannot be brought into the poultry house.
Differences between the LED lighting
For a better understanding, we divide the different LED versions into 3 "generations".
The “first generation” of poultry LED lights includes the first monochrome white (cold or warm light) LED lights that came on the market about a decade ago. These light sources have not been specially optimized for the use in poultry houses. In general, today we could call all LED lights with white LED chips, with or without a dimming function, as the “1st Generation".
As poultry lights of the “2nd Generation” Led Gen2 we could name LED lights with additional coloured LEDs in certain spectra (e.g. UV, blue or red). However, the flicker frequency is sometimes not yet optimal because there was a lack of faster switching processes on commercially available ballasts.
The third version, "LED Gen3", is a light with a fully controllable light spectrum that contains UV (ultraviolet) and IR (infrared). Each channel (or each color) can be dimmed individually and thus enables any desired light composition. In the ideal case, the spectrum covers, as far as technically possible, the received sunlight (from 340 - 1000 nm ). Gen3 LED lighting systems are thus able to imitate the natural composition of daylight and the changes over the day and various seasons. The flicker frequency is completely eliminated or at least higher than 5KHz (5,000 Hz).
LED of the "3. Generation"; important to know
A “Gen3” lighting system does not, of course, automatically improve production efficiency and animal welfare. However, it is important to understand that it is an integral part of the overall system in which genetics, feeding, hygiene, climate, etc. also play a role. If the overall system is optimized, an additional increase in animal welfare and production efficiency can be achieved.
Since in a poultry lighting system the “3rd Generation” each of the available color channels can be dimmed individually, an infinite number of combinations (light compositions) is possible. It would therefore be advisable to choose a manufacturer who can offer the appropriate experience and preset light programs / recommendations. It is also important to distinguish between the respective areas of application.
A look into the field test houses
Laying and breeder farms
In these set-ups, at least from an economic point of view, it was primarily of interest to be able to optimize the laying performance (and / or fertilization) and to minimize losses. The practical studies, which were carried out across Germany in conventional and organic farms, even used different light spectra .
Surprisingly, it turned out that colder light tones in the morning helped the animals to start the day actively. Feed intake and laying performance could thus be noticeably supported in various layer and broiler breeds (in the breeding farms). At noon, the farms lowered the activity in the barn with warmer tones, which in turn stimulated fertilization in parent and grandparent stocks.
Support for stress reduction (containment of cannibalism) was also desirable. A problem that affects around 20-30% of laying farms. So far, from about production week 30 - 40, you could assume more losses due to feather pecking and cannibalism. In order to prevent major losses, it has so far been common practice to dim the light intensity and contribute to the dis-behaviour with red tones. An effective measure, which unfortunately increasingly came up against the limits of the legally prescribed 20Lux in the houses.
During the practical tests of the LED Gen3 it was found that the behavior of the animals can be optimized with a cooler daylight tone (including the addition of UV) in addition to the known method with red light tones. The controlled addition of natural UV components made it easier for the animals to develop and consolidate their social behavior. A method that resulted in significantly lower mortality and production losses in the test series . Picking and cannibalism behavior could thus be largely counteracted and even eliminated. Even in lighting conditions of> 150 lux.
Broiler production
When it comes to fattening, the main focus was set on the feed conversion of the animals.
The broilers should gain weight evenly, have a strong skeleton and healthier footpads, and achieve a smooth growing curve. Key point in broiler production, considering a dark period of a minimum of 8 hours a day, would be the optimal support over the entire fattening period. In the test houses with LED Gen3, the goal was, to enable the animals to get off to a strong start in the first 6-7 days without causing problems in the later stages due to too rapid, early growth. A light spectrum that was too cold (blue) initially led to a development that was too rapid. The green light increased the activity of the animals. Red tones had a calming effect in the context of the trials, but also reduced feed consumption.
A fattening period with a sensitive colour variation in the different phases was therefore most effective. An optimized start (6-7 days), which should then be carefully controlled, helps the animals to develop optimally, especially in the following phase till 30 days.
The practical studies even showed that the use of a changing light composition over a period of 40 days could lead to better distribution, less rejects during slaughter and a better controlled and more even growth process with higher body weight.
Another insight from practice
During the practical tests with the LED Gen3 lighting set up in groups, it was possible to quickly and flexibly divide the house into additional illuminated zones. For example, areas with “uncomfortable” lighting conditions for stressed, low-ranking and / or injured animals should be offered as places of retreat for recovery. By means of slight changes in colour, it was possible to create a very well-accepted, spacious resting area that the animals could seek out and leave according to their own needs.
Conclusion
Let us take the liberty of orienting our demands on the only uncompromisingly perfected guideline that is known to us, far from solutions that have been technically feasible up to now: nature. In our minds, we should break away from the technical limits in the long term and demand the maximum. Despite or precisely because of animal husbandry on an industrial scale, we could orientate ourselves to the needs given by nature, the “recipe” for the optimal support of our animals. We should work with the natural characteristics of the birds instead of suppressing undesirable symptoms as malpractice.
In addition to ongoing (field) studies, further, practical studies are therefore desirable.
Because anyone who has dealt with science and research knows that research is often like collecting pieces of a puzzle. Various experiments that have to be consistent in themselves in order to be able to produce an overall picture.
It is important to emphasize that it is advisable to pay more attention to lighting, also from an economic point of view . Use your animals' sense of sight skilfully to benefit from the potential.
Regardless of the existing lighting as you know it now, you should take the chance to see a company equipped with LED Gen3. It is advisable to orientate oneself on knowledge already gained (ideally from practical field studies). In addition, it would be interesting to inquire about possible retrofitting options for “Gen1” and “Gen2” lighting systems.
Because: In a modern Poultry house with good basic requirements, according to the latest findings from field studies, the light of the Gen3 can actually help to improve / achieve the operational goals. If you are now ready to make this investment for your company, you will be able to configure all current and future knowledge about lighting compositions.
For the first time, the Gen3 LED lighting offers the possibility to respond to your individual flock, to influence and regulate the behaviour of the animals with a full spectrum of daylight and to support the animals in their development and productivity.
In conclusion, we can, undeniably, record such a system as a future-proof and animal welfare-oriented guide, which should be more attentive in the future.