Any sources on lights and chicken biology?

[EdgeC]

Before you come spamming my thread with 1000's of posts I have read, googled... I know the basics and I am looking for a more advanced answer.

I know, artificial light CAN keep them producing eggs in the winter AND some view it as a non-good thing which is fine.
I know, red lights don't seem to have such effects and can even reduce pecking/injury pecking if chickens have blood/sores.
I know for some reason chicks feel more comfortable under red lights than (white light).

Now I have already experimented and expanded on this... I noticed when I had light sources (that did not affect reproduction and was easy for predators to see (I used dark-orange light) I used it all over last winter, they all stopped egg production and still migrated to the light/coop that they could still see and actually seems to enjoy being able to see.

With this light color, it seems to act like red but...better? Has anyone actually experimented or have any good (scholarly sources preferred) that can go deep into the science of their eyes and has done more studies in this?


Why does it matter? Every coop in my area that does not have a light source is plagued by predators (no losses but attempts).

Every coop I have had orange lights, had ZERO attempts, it had zero impact on their egg production, and it seems that they like it. I just want more information, so I know I'm not hurting my girls... and I really can't use guesses or opinions I really want facts as factual as can be. Thanks!

 

[SourRoses]

The only answer you've left room for is that you should go look up studies in accredited science journals. There is a lot of research on chickens out there. Hope it works out for you!

 

[EdgeC]

The only answer you've left room for is that you should go look up studies in accredited science journals. There is a lot of research on chickens out there. Hope it works out for you!

I am asking for a source of one, I tried google and AI searching. Nothing major and really don't want to write one up myself. Happen to have any sources, please?

 

[SourRoses]

I am asking for a source of one, I tried google and AI searching. Nothing major and really don't want to write one up myself. Happen to have any sources, please?

Are you paying by the hour?

 

[EdgeC]

Are you paying by the hour?

Haha, I feel ya. I was hoping the community knew/could find something I couldn't. Heck any personal experience could be a lead as well. Anyone experimented with different wavelengths of light?

 

[saysfaa]

Google scholar

University research libraries. As of 5-10 years ago, at least some will allow the general public to use their search engines and the various access routes they pay for to see the entire papers instead of maybe an abstract. Some limit the public to six visits per year? Term? i forget the timeframe.

The following study is the first that came up when I searched it just now.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...oured-light/F01E7E2974854A9D00D01B0AE3132173#

I didn't read past the abstract. It isn't all you want to know but yes, it has been studied. It may answer a few of your other questions too.

Hm, red is not the best wavelength to put chicks under.

It says "...Egg production traits, however, appear to be minimally affected by wavelength...."

 

[SourRoses]

Haha, I feel ya. I was hoping the community knew/could find something I couldn't. Heck any personal experience could be a lead as well. Anyone experimented with different wavelengths of light?

Okay. Well, I remember reading a study, but can't cite the source so I didn't think it fit your criteria... it was about light intensity not color. It concluded that the amount needed to prompt laying was very small - 1 candle, which is roughly equal to a moonlit night.
There was another on how pituitary gland in chickens is close to the surface and responds to light levels regardless of whether a chicken can see.

And the process of using light to induce laying is not simple. The light has to be gradually increased over many months, starting before the natural daylight has fallen below a certain level, 11-13 hours if I remember correctly.
Therefore, if one were to add light suddenly and/or late in the season, it wouldn't have an effect on the reproductive cycle.
So it may not be the color of light that causes the difference.

 

[EdgeC]

Google scholar

University research libraries. As of 5-10 years ago, at least some will allow the general public to use their search engines and the various access routes they pay for to see the entire papers instead of maybe an abstract. Some limit the public to six visits per year? Term? i forget the timeframe.

The following study is the first that came up when I searched it just now.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/jour...oured-light/F01E7E2974854A9D00D01B0AE3132173#

I didn't read past the abstract. It isn't all you want to know but yes, it has been studied. It may answer a few of your other questions too.

Hm, red is not the best wavelength to put chicks under.

It says "...Egg production traits, however, appear to be minimally affected by wavelength...."

Thanks! I can still access a lot not free using my uni-emails. (depends on if they are in-network)

 

[EdgeC]

Okay. Well, I remember reading a study, but can't cite the source so I didn't think it fit your criteria... it was about light intensity not color. It concluded that the amount needed to prompt laying was very small - 1 candle, which is roughly equal to a moonlit night.
There was another on how pituitary gland in chickens is close to the surface and responds to light levels regardless of whether a chicken can see.

And the process of using light to induce laying is not simple. The light has to be gradually increased over many months, starting before the natural daylight has fallen below a certain level, 11-13 hours if I remember correctly.
Therefore, if one were to add light suddenly and/or late in the season, it wouldn't have an effect on the reproductive cycle.
So it may not be the color of light that causes the difference.

So, they act like plants? Interesting Thanks! Makes me want to learn more.

 

[Ridgerunner]

If you are in the USA I'd suggest contacting your county extension office and chatting with them. They should have direct contact with the State land grant university. Try to get them to hook you up with a professor in poultry science there, if your state land grant university has a poultry science department.