The Poultry Keeper

nigel · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 3:23 pm Post subject: Artificial Lighting

Having visited Sweden yesterday, I can say it's cold. Probably far too cold for poultry to free range, which means some days they would have to be confined indoors as I wouldn't want them to get frostbite etc. Fortunately a lot of the properties we have been looking at have large barns that would be of suitable size.

The problem is they are not too well lit. Does anyone know what systems they use for barn raised hens? I can't seem to find it mentioned on the net. I was working on the assumption that they need as full a spectrum light as possible making fluorescent lighting unsuitable and should be considering more metal halide or halogen systems. Does anyone know if this is the case?

NannyP · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:00 pm Post subject:

Looks like no one has any answers to this. I guess you could look on a cannabis growing website and see what lighting they use. Maybe you'll be able to diversify Wink

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Only thing I found was it's supposed to be 5 lux

no, I have no idea what that means Surprised

CP · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:10 pm Post subject:

This is worrying me slightly if we have to house our girls due to Avian Flu. Confused

We would have to keep them in the shed, with only 2 small windows for light.

So if you find out any more Nigel, please let us know. Wink

NannyP · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject:

You can buy daylight bulbs, maybe they'll be enough?

CP · Posted: Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:25 pm Post subject:

Probably NannyP. Wink

I'll have to do a little researching!

debsandpets · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 26 Location: WARWICKSHIRE

I would have thought that many of the aquarium metal halide lamps would have been the best bet - as you say full colour spec.

We used to use them for the marine fish.

Try the tropical marine centre TMC I think, or any of the large trade companies for aquatics.

Debbie

nigel · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:41 am Post subject:

Went to college early last night and scoured the library for information. It seems that chickens are not to fussy over the wavelength/spectrum, I was just making things too complex. Poultry Sheds use normal tungsten bulbs from what I found last night. I took out a couple of books, so as soon as I have more info I'll post it here.

CP · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 10:01 am Post subject:

Cheers Nigel! Very Happy

fenwoman · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 12:55 pm Post subject:

The subject of lighting for indoor bird of all species has interested me for some time now.
A couple of things to consider.
Ultra violet rays help to destroy virii (viruses) hence why there are no flu' epidemics in summer time.
Secondly, to be able to funtion properly, birds need vitamin D. This is absorbed from natural sunshine. Not sure if absorbed is what I meant to say but painkillers are just kicking in so cannot think straight.
I would say choose your breeds carefully. Go for small/rose combed birds with large body mass and soft feathered. Brahmas spring to mind. If cochins and the like can cope with the rigours of chinese winters I imagine they would cope fine with Scandinavian ones.
I would certainly try to ensure they have the option of going outside even in deepest winter by means of a pop hole into a sheltered run facing away from the cold winds,and if not, I would be looking to put Arcadia bird flourescent lights into the barn to ensure vitamin D synthesis and ultra violet light helping destroy virii.

nigel · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 1:30 pm Post subject:

thanks for that fenwoman thats exactly the kind of info i'm searching for Smile

mojo · Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

hi nigel .old fool thoughts...find the swedish poultry club website and ask them all the questions(use english they speak it better than we do) as we all say No silly questions only silly answers GOOD LUCK and please keep us informed we are terribly nosey you know..and yes i speak for myself...............mojo