Age at Photostimulation

A lighting trial conducted at the Poultry Research Centre indicates that late photostimulation is a better strategy for both broiler breeders and leghorns. Broiler breeders in the trial were photostimulated at 17, 18, 20, 21 and 23 wk of age. Breeders that were photostimulated after 20 wk had reduced variability (CV) in both body weight and age at sexual maturity. In other words, those that were lit later came into production as a more uniform group. In a normal flock this should translate into improved reproductive performance since more of the birds are getting the optimum feed allocation for their specific requirements at any given time. Those breeders that were lit later did not have reduced egg production. They tended to lay eggs in longer sequences or clutches.

Groups of leghorn pullets were lit at 16, 18 and 20 wk of age. Those which were lit later had a lower carcass fat content at the onset of production. As with the broiler breeders, there was no difference in production with birds that were lit later, due to increased efficiency later in the laying period. The group which was set to be lit at 22 wk of age came into production without having been photostimulated.

Bottom line
Photostimulate hens later rather than earlier if you have a choice.

Traci Wautier and Frank Robinson

Poultry Research Centre News - Vol. 4 No. 3, 1995

For more information about the content of this document, contact Brenda Schneider.
This information published to the web on December 18, 1998.
Last Reviewed/Revised on January 3, 2008.