In the Moderna poultry industry, the optimization of egg production depends on a fundamental triad: genetics, nutrition and environment. Within the environmental factor, lighting is positioned as the most critical external stimulus to regulate the physiological and reproductive processes of laying hens. Improper light management can mean the difference between a persistent posture curve or premature productive failure.
Unlike mammals, birds have a unique ability to perceive light through three pathways: the retina, the pineal gland and, most importantly for reproduction, the hypothalamic photoreceptors that capture the light that passes through the skull. When light reaches the hypothalamus, the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is activated. As pointed out by North and Bell (1990), this process triggers the release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) by the pituitary, which are responsible for the maturation of ovarian follicles and subsequent ovulation.
The photoperiod refers to the number of hours of light in a 24-hour cycle, the golden rule in poultry farming is: never increase the light during breeding and never decrease it during laying.
Growth Phase: An excess of light in young pullets can induce early sexual maturity, this results in small eggs and a higher incidence of uterine prolapses.
Production Phase: For a hen to initiate and maintain the posture, it requires an increasing or constant stimulus, according to Jacob et al. (2015), most Moderna genetic lines reach their peak production with a schedule of 16 hours of light and 8 of dark.
A common mistake in some backyard or industrial systems is to keep the lights on 24 hours in the hope of getting more eggs, this is counterproductive and metabolically stressful. Birds need a period of total darkness (minimum 6 to 8 hours) for the formation of the eggshell process that occurs mostly during the night and to strengthen their immune system. The absence of sleep increases the levels of corticosterone, the stress hormone, which degrades the quality of the shell and the overall health of the bird.
Dear readers, the management of lighting is not a secondary aspect, but a metabolic management tool. A well-designed light program should be consistent, progressive and adapted to the genetic lineage. Understanding that the hen is a photosensitive animal allows the producer not only to maximize profitability, but also to ensure a healthy and balanced life cycle for the bird.
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| Bibliographic references |
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- Sauveur, B. (1993). The egg for consumption. Mundi-Press Books.
- North, M. O., & Bell, D. D. (1990). Commercial chicken production manual. Chapman & Hall.
- Jacob, J. P., Wilson, H. R., Miles, R. D., Butcher, G. D., & Mather, F. B. (2015). Factors affecting egg production in backyard chicken flocks. University of Florida, IFAS Extension.
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