To raise chickens well, improve survival rates, reduce the feed-to-meat ratio, and increase slaughter weight, ultimately increasing farming returns. Good survival rates, feed-to-meat ratios, and slaughter weights depend on scientific feeding management, one of the most important aspects of which is scientifically and properly managing lighting and feed restriction.
Suitable lighting can accelerate weight gain in broilers, strengthen blood circulation, increase appetite, aid calcium and phosphorus absorption, and enhance immunity. However, an unreasonable lighting program in the chicken house, lighting that is too strong or too weak, or lighting periods that are too long or too short can all adversely affect the chickens.
The key is to manage feed restriction and lighting effectively. During the early chick stage, control the rate of muscle growth, adjust light intensity, promote the growth and development of internal organs, and strengthen the birds’ disease resistance. This helps address the challenges of treating broilers that become ill in the later stage, high treatment costs, and high mortality and culling rates. By using lighting management and broilers’ compensatory growth characteristics, feed intake can be controlled and the feed-to-meat ratio reduced, ultimately lowering farming risks and improving the economic returns from broiler production.
I. Feed restriction
Feed restriction is not recommended for chicks during their first week; leaving the troughs empty is sufficient, as the chicks’ digestive and immune systems are not yet fully developed, and adequate feed intake needs to be ensured. Feed restriction can begin after 12 days of age, starting with one hour: once the chicks have finished eating, withhold feed for one hour. Gradually increase the restriction period by half an hour each day. The cumulative feed restriction period per day can gradually be increased to 4–5 hours, but should not exceed 6 hours. The longer the restriction period, the hungrier the chickens become, and the faster they eat. This reduces the time feed remains in the troughs. The shorter the time feed remains in an open environment, the less opportunity there is for pathogens and mold to grow, thereby reducing the risk of disease entering through the mouth.
At the same time, a chicken’s crop is elastic and can store a large amount of food. Frequent expansion and contraction promote crop development, thereby reducing the incidence of crop inflammation. Rapid feeding also stimulates the glandular stomach to secrete digestive juices and stimulates gizzard peristalsis, indirectly promoting healthy digestion and thereby reducing the incidence of glandular stomach and gizzard inflammation.
II. Light restriction
The main purpose of lighting control is to help chickens rest well, regulate the body's balance, and promote better weight gain. Lighting control should follow a standard: during the first 3 days, provide 24 hours of light. Many chicks are still learning to eat feed by imitating one another during this period. If the lights are turned off, the chicks may become dehydrated and die.
Starting on day 4, the lights can be turned off. Begin with half an hour and gradually increase the duration. Within the first 7 days of age, do not keep the lights off for too long—no more than about one hour (mainly to help the chicks get used to the stress of the lights being switched off suddenly). As mentioned above, the chickens' livers are not fully developed. Turning off the lights is not only for rest; it also controls feed intake. If the lights are off for too long, hypoglycemia may occur.
After day 15, the chickens' livers gradually become fully developed, and their intestinal absorption function becomes well established, so the periods of lighting and feed restriction can be extended. By this stage, the chickens have accumulated some fat in their bodies and their feed intake has increased, so they will not use up all the feed in their bodies and develop symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Three. The purpose of lighting and feed restriction
Reasonable control of lighting and feed can regulate the body's metabolic balance, reduce strain on the heart and lungs, use up excess stomach acid, promote the development of the internal organs and intestines, improve feed absorption and conversion rates, boost the flock's immunity and disease resistance, and enhance its ability to withstand stress.
Restricting feeding time and feed can also stimulate appetite and ensure flock uniformity. When feed is available for long periods, stronger chickens eat more and weaker chickens eat less, making uneven sizes more likely. Feed restriction makes all the chickens feel hungry and eat at the same time, so the difference between them is not as great.
After eating quickly, chickens rest once they have eaten and drunk their fill. At this point, the lights can be turned off to control lighting. The chickens then rest and reduce their activity, while their internal organs continue digesting. People are more likely to gain weight if they go to bed after eating their fill at night. The same applies to chickens. In this way, controlling lighting and feed can achieve the goal of fattening them.
This is actually a positive cycle: after feed is added and the chickens have eaten, the lights are turned off, achieving both lighting control for rest and feed restriction. (Note that restricting feed simply by turning off the lights is different from controlling lighting and feed after the trough is empty.) If the troughs are full before the lights are turned off and the flock is allowed to eat its fill, the chickens will not feel hungry when the lights are turned off.
IV. Precautions for light control
When restricting feed, turn off the lights so the chickens can rest. This both restricts feed and allows the chickens to rest well, while also reducing activity to achieve the goal of increasing their weight. There are two points to note when restricting feed:
1, Temperature control during light control
There is also one point to note here: after the lights are turned off and the chickens rest, their activity decreases, their bodies produce less heat, and the temperature in the chicken house drops. The chickens may huddle together, so the temperature in the chicken house can be raised by 0.5-1 degrees Celsius. Ventilation must not be reduced; this is crucial. Do not sacrifice ventilation to raise the temperature, as this can easily cause the chickens to become overheated and suffocated, especially larger chickens.
2, the necessity of feed restriction and limiting feed
Once you have managed your chickens’ lighting and feeding, you will find that they are very healthy and have a good appetite, eating more and more. We have even encountered cases where chickens at 21 days of age consumed as much feed as is normally given to 25-day-old chickens, exceeding the amount by 4 days. This involves another management factor: limiting feed.
Feed control means feeding at set times without a set amount: the chickens can eat as much as they want.
Feed restriction means feeding at set times and in set amounts: once they have eaten the specified amount, they do not eat more.
All poultry farmers share this feeling: when the chickens are growing well, let them eat as much as they can so they put on more weight. In fact, eating more is not necessarily better. If they grow too quickly in the early stage, their resistance may not keep up, which can lead to a higher incidence of disease. They may grow well and look big and healthy 30 days beforehand, but after 30 days, disease outbreaks may become impossible to control.
When raising chickens, always remember this saying: a good start does not mean good results; what matters is doing well in the later stage. Be sure to control and restrict feed intake so they do not eat too much. At 20 days of age, provide the chickens with 4–6 hours of light and feed restriction. After 35 days of age, shorten the light-restriction period to 1–2 hours and also shorten the feed-restriction period; leaving the feeders empty for 1 hours each day is sufficient. Stop light and feed restriction 3 days before market.
Note: The methods above are not suitable for every poultry farm.Light and feed restriction should be applied flexibly, taking into account the chicken breed, flock health, seasonal temperatures, and rearing method. For example, when chickens are floor-reared on litter, hungry birds may eat rice hulls, thereby increasing the incidence of intestinal diseases, such as small-intestinal coccidiosis. For different poultry houses and breeds, be sure to adapt the approach to the actual conditions; do not apply it blindly.