The pre-laying stage is a critical transition period as laying hens move from rearing to egg production. The proper initiation and gradual adjustment of lighting directly determine how uniformly the flock starts laying. Common problems in actual production include increasing lighting blindly based on age, increasing it too quickly, and providing insufficient light intensity. These can cause body maturity and sexual maturity to become unsynchronized, resulting in small eggs, malformed eggs, and prolapse-related deaths. This article addresses key lighting challenges at the pre-laying stage and provides standardized, practical methods for scientifically initiating egg production in the flock.
Lighting during the pre-laying stage is a key point for initiating egg production and driving the flock toward its subsequent peak. Damage caused by lighting mistakes is mostly irreversible. Many poultry farmers are eager for their flocks to start laying and use incorrect lighting practices during the pre-laying stage, creating risks that can affect the entire laying cycle.
I. Common Mistakes in Pre-Laying Lighting Management
1, mechanically increase lighting based on age in days while ignoring body weight standards
Many poultry farmers increase lighting according to a fixed schedule based solely on age in days, without paying attention to the flock’s body weight, uniformity, or physical condition. During summer heat stress or when the flock is growing poorly, blindly increasing lighting before the birds reach the breed’s standard body weight can cause body maturity and sexual maturity to become unsynchronized. This may lead to the flock starting to lay prematurely and producing small eggs and pointed, misshapen eggs in batches, irreversibly affecting egg production performance throughout the laying cycle.
2, increasing lighting too quickly or by too much at one time
Some poultry farmers, eager to see returns, blindly increase lighting too quickly. From a baseline of 9 hours of light, a single increase of more than 1 hours, or a direct increase to 16 hours over 2-3 increments, is made; some even abruptly increase lighting to 14-16 hours all at once before laying begins. Laying hens are extremely sensitive to lighting schedules, and sudden, intense stimulation can be highly harmful. Birds that develop quickly may experience dystocia, prolapse, or oviduct eversion, leading to pecking injuries and deaths. In slower-developing, weaker birds, follicular development may be inhibited, resulting in delayed onset of laying, sporadic onset, or even failure to lay throughout their lives, seriously reducing flock productivity.
3, low light intensity
Some farmers deliberately keep light intensity low to prevent feather pecking. Insufficient light reduces the chickens’ feeding activity and weakens gonadal stimulation, directly causing delayed onset of lay and poor flock uniformity, preventing the flock from reaching its high-yield potential.
二、Standardized practical measures for managing the pre-laying period
Core lighting principle for the pre-laying period: Do not use age in days as the sole criterion. Apply the dual criteria of age in days and body weight, and increase lighting gradually in small increments to avoid the extremes of excessively strong or weak light.
1, precisely control the timing of the first increase in lighting
The first increase in lighting directly determines the age at which production begins and the length of the peak period, and must be assessed using both age and body weight. The standard lighting-increase window is 113–120 days of age; if body weight is below the target, the increase may be delayed appropriately, but no later than 126 days of age. Premature stimulation is strictly prohibited.
2, ensure a gradual transition when increasing lighting
Do not increase the lighting duration to its maximum all at once. Instead, make small increases in stages to ensure a smooth transition into the laying period. Increase lighting by 1 hours per week for the first 3 weeks, then by 0.5 hours per week thereafter, gradually increasing the lighting duration.
3, standard pre-laying light intensity
Lighting should be uniform and stable, with no dark spots. Control the intensity at 10–20Lux. This can effectively stimulate feed intake and promote gonadal development while avoiding overly intense lighting that can trigger feather pecking.
Summary: The pre-laying period is the starting point for light stimulation. It is better to start later than earlier, and to increase light more slowly rather than faster. Give priority to body weight over age in days, and increase lighting gradually. This helps the flock start laying uniformly, reduces losses from misshapen eggs and prolapse, and lays a foundation for the peak laying period.
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