Lighting in the chicken coop for the winter period and for heating the chickens, timer, “Dawn-Sunset” system

Laying hens require long hours of daylight to lay eggs.

Since it gets dark early in the fall and the sun rises in the morning later and later every day, you need to turn on the electric lighting in the chicken coop quite early in the morning and evening.

It’s especially annoying in the morning to get up so early when everyone is still sleeping. Waking up at sunrise to turn on the light for the chickens is too much! Therefore, you just need to make lighting in the chicken coop with a timer, on which you can set the time to turn on and off the electric lamp and the problem will be solved: you don’t need to go and turn it on manually, everything will work automatically by itself.

UV lamp

The UV lamp is easy to use and install, it consumes little electricity since it does not need to be used daily. The main advantage is its direct effect - disinfection and radiation, which has a beneficial effect on farm animals and birds. When broilers and meat breeds are exposed to UV, along with an increase in growth rates by 4–1%, the quality of meat improves. Of course, this will not replace the warm rays of the sun on a summer day, but its benefits and effectiveness are higher than natural ultraviolet rays. The lack of natural ultraviolet radiation causes metabolic disorders, a decrease in the body's protective functions and, as a result, various diseases.

Do laying hens need lighting in winter?

Need to. But here’s the problem: all year round they will just wear and tear. Let's save up some eggs and send our Stakhanovites on vacation for two or three weeks?

Here's the best way to do it: I don't know why, but in many villages laying hens are sent on vacation 2 weeks before Maslenitsa. Although, if you think about it, after February 23, March 8 and Maslenitsa, the family will easily survive the lack of eggs, all the holidays are behind us, Lent is ahead!

How to send chickens on vacation? Leave them without additional lighting in the morning and evening for exactly 14 days. And it is advisable to do this before March 22, when there will be 12 hours of daylight and day equals night.

That's all! Proper arrangement of the chicken coop will make your laying hens happy both in winter and summer!

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How to prepare a chicken coop for winter cold?

The first stage of the insulation process is the selection of a suitable material. The most common are: penoplex; Styrofoam; mineral wool; foil penofol.

The latter option is more budget-friendly, but they all have one function - they retain heat indoors. Which material to choose is a purely individual decision, since their main difference is only in the structure.

The insulation process itself takes place in several stages:

Floor insulation. The bedding layer on the floor can be made of various organic materials. Straw, hay, peat, moss, sawdust and shavings are used for these purposes: they are best suited for floor insulation, are safe, affordable, and after use can be used as fertilizer on the floor. plot. The layer thickness should be at least 20 cm. As the material cakes, it is necessary to add 5-10 cm of filler. A complete replacement of the insulation is carried out at the end of the season.

Insulation of walls. The outside walls are insulated with foam blocks, and on top with plastic sheets or slate. If the climate for keeping birds is harsh, then the inside of the room can be lined with foam blocks.

Insulation of the roof and ceiling. As for the roof, there are no special requirements

It is important that there are no cracks or breaks in it. If there is an attic above the poultry house, it is recommended to lay it with a thick layer of straw.

Insulation of doors and windows

Doors and windows should not allow air to pass through or create drafts. To do this, it is enough to cover them with old thick blankets or blankets (several layers if necessary).

Additional lighting

Reducing daylight hours directly affects the egg production of chickens. If additional lighting is not provided in the poultry house during the cold season, the productivity of the birds will be minimal or even zero.

When organizing additional lighting, you must adhere to some important rules:

To increase daylight hours inside the chicken coop, you can use LED, fluorescent or ordinary household incandescent lamps. With excess lighting, birds become restless and fight more, so it is important not to overdo it in organizing winter lighting. For 10 square meters of room, one 60 W light bulb will be enough. It is best to install the light bulb under the ceiling in the area with feeders - this will create the most comfortable conditions for the chickens. It is necessary to turn on the lighting in the morning (at 5–6 o’clock) and turn it off with the onset of full daylight.

In the evening, as soon as it begins to get dark, you can turn on the lamp again and leave it working until 8–9 pm. This process can be greatly simplified by purchasing a timer at a hardware store, which will automatically turn the lighting on and off according to a given schedule.

Balanced nutrition for laying hens in winter

Proper nutrition in the required quantity greatly influences the productive performance of the bird.

Therefore, in winter it is important to plan the diet of chickens based on a number of rules:

• In the summer, it is necessary to dry various herbs (nettle, clover, chicken millet), tie the preparations into small bunches and hang them not high above the floor.
• Add boiled root vegetables (beets, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin) to the chickens' diet.
• Prepare special mash, which includes crushed eggshells, bone or fish meal, bran, sunflower cake. This supplement will provide the birds with all the missing substances.
• Bloodworms or worms can be added to the diet as a source of additional protein and calcium in the diet.
• In separate containers in the poultry house there should be chalk, small gravel, and crushed shells.
• Water for drinking in winter must be heated to the optimal room temperature.

By creating all the necessary conditions in the poultry house, as well as adjusting the poultry’s diet, you can achieve good productivity indicators and get high-quality eggs even in winter.

The main thing is to follow simple and few rules, and then the birds will be healthy and happy.

Lighting mode

To correctly distribute lighting in a poultry house, it is necessary to take into account certain nuances. Then it will be possible to optimally create a winter daylight schedule. The degree of illumination should not be the same everywhere. Depending on the areas of the chicken’s home, lighting lamps will require different power and brightness:

• drinking bowls and feeders - 69 Lux;
• nests for hens - from 0.5 to 1 Lux;
• nurseries for newly born chicks - within 30 Lx, and for slightly older ones - 5 Lx;
• in the center of the chicken coop, where only females are kept - up to 10 Lx, with a rooster - about 15 Lx.

To fully preserve the egg-laying function and good health, chickens need at least 12 hours of daylight (preferably 14). It is recommended to turn on the light inside from 6:00 in the morning and not turn it off until full dawn, and in the evening - from the onset of the first twilight until 20:00, so that the bird can rest peacefully at night.

How to place the lamp correctly

Just one IR lamp can cope with heating an area of ​​12 square meters. m, but its effectiveness will largely depend on the quality of the chicken coop insulation. On average, 250 W/hour is enough to maintain a normal temperature, but if there are decent gaps in the windows and doors, then this value is definitely not enough.

The infrared light flux has a clear directionality of its effect, so if it is necessary to regularly dry the litter, this nuance should also be taken into account (you can attach two light bulbs to the ceiling at a certain distance from each other).

It will be interesting to know what daylight hours should be in the chicken coop, what kind of lighting should be in the chicken coop and how to choose an infrared lamp for heating chickens.

The installation process for IR lamps looks like this:

1. Inserting wiring with a suitable cross-section into the chicken coop (it must be immediately placed in a protective corrugation).
2. Marking places for attaching lamp sockets (at a distance of at least 1 m from each other).
3. Fixing the sockets into which the lamps will later be screwed (given that infrared light sources get very hot during operation, it is advisable to use ceramic sockets for them).
4. Screwing in the IR lamps themselves and turning them on.

IR lamps are always hung so that they cover as much area of ​​the chicken coop as possible and do not come into contact with water, which can damage them if they come into contact with a single point. Important! If you decide to place them not on the ceiling, but in other places, you will have to create additional fencing to limit direct contact of birds with thermal elements. A metal sheathing is suitable for these purposes.

Using the Timer

When connecting a lamp, farmers have to constantly monitor changes in the lighting modes of the poultry house. This is inconvenient, since you have to switch the toggle switch several times a day. A timer will help optimize the process of maintaining daylight hours.

You can purchase the device at a very affordable price. The principle of creating an electrical circuit is as follows: the time relay is plugged into a socket, and wiring goes from the timer to the lamp socket. Next, you should set the hours for turning the light source on and off. The lighting process then becomes automated.

When choosing a timer, you need to pay attention to its design. There are mechanical models in which the operating mode is set by turning the handle, and electronic ones equipped with a display.

What time do you turn on the lights in the chicken coop in winter?

It's different in every region. How to calculate? Watch the sun rise and set. For example, we turn on the lighting in the chicken coop in the morning in winter 3 hours before sunrise in December. Sunrise on December 28 in Chelyabinsk is at 9:20, which means we should wake up the family at 6 o’clock.

• 2 hours before sunrise in February and November.
• An hour before sunrise in March and October.

And so on until the sun rises at 5 am.

Everything is quite simple if the poultry farmer gets up at 6 am! What if you sleep until 9 o'clock? Then there are 2 options: automatic and day shift.

We will not dwell on automatic switching on and setting the timer; this is a separate story that will require financial costs. Let's shift the hens' daily routine so that you don't have to worry in the morning.

Laying hens will wake up at dawn! And you lie in bed until lunch, like Oblomov in the novel by I.A. Goncharov. We have chickens to please, not to annoy.

Read also: Fighting chickens with a bad character

A daily routine is important for laying hens. And we may have a holiday weekend, Christmas holidays, or you are retired and like to lie around longer... In the morning, the laying hens will wake up at dawn, when the daylight through the window wakes them up.

In the evening, the lights should be turned on an hour before sunset. To exclude the chickens from twilight.

“That’s a lot of trouble!” - you say... What to do? There are 2 options: be sure to turn on the light at any time convenient for you or never turn it off!

Features of lighting for a chicken coop in winter

If in the summer you can do without artificial lighting of the chicken coop, in the winter you cannot do without a timer. Heating the room and maintaining stable daylight hours will help minimize the stress experienced by birds when cold weather sets in. Otherwise, the chickens will stop laying eggs, and the weight gain will be barely noticeable.

The duration of daylight hours for an adult bird is set at 13 hours. You can start adding additional lighting from the end of October – beginning of November. Just by that time, the chickens are finishing their molting period. You need to turn on the backlight with the arrival of dawn - around 6 o'clock in the morning. After sunset, turn off the lights after 2-3 hours. In this case, it becomes necessary to regulate the intensity of the glow.

Almost any timer is suitable for organizing an automated system. Poultry farmers often use a conventional Chinese-made device, which has 10 operating modes. Its price is quite affordable, you can install it yourself.

It is not necessary to use artificial light during the daytime if the building has windows. And in the summer there is no need for lamps at all. Sunlight and daylight hours meet the requirements for keeping birds. The only condition is to create a comfortable stay in the nests of laying hens and roosts. For these purposes, the corresponding area in poultry houses without windows is illuminated with a muted glow.

Chicken coop lamps: features, pros and cons

When planning to install artificial lighting in a poultry house, you first need to decide on the type of lamp.

They must meet a number of criteria:

• easy to clean from dirt;
• be resistant to moisture;
• consume a minimum amount of electricity;
• have a long service life.

It is also desirable that the lamp’s brightness can be adjusted so that the farmer has the opportunity to create a light regime that is comfortable for the birds in the poultry house.

Several types of lamps meet the above criteria. Each of them has its own characteristics, pros and cons, which are worth considering in more detail.

Incandescent

An incandescent lamp is the simplest and most affordable lighting device for a chicken coop. For a small utility chicken coop, they are ideal because they have numerous advantages:

1. The light of such lamps is quite bright, and it is in a light range that is comfortable for the bird’s eyes.
2. The cost of the lamps is very affordable, and you can buy them in any store.
3. Lighting devices with incandescent lamps do not require special maintenance.
4. Incandescent lamps work not only as lighting devices, but also as point sources of heat. If not one, but several of these lamps are placed in the chicken coop, the room will warm up much faster.

Figure 2. Incandescent lamps are considered obsolete
But, along with the advantages, such lamps also have disadvantages. In particular, they consume a lot of energy and are therefore rarely used on large poultry farms. The lamps themselves quickly fail and need frequent replacement (Figure 2).

Luminescent

Fluorescent, or fluorescent, lamps have replaced the usual incandescent lamps. But now even they are considered outdated (Figure 3).

They continue to be used in subsidiary farms due to several important advantages:

1. Just one lamp can illuminate a fairly large area, and the light will be uniform and bright.
2. As with incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps are inexpensive and consume little energy.
3. Lighting devices of this type have a long service life, and even a person without special education can install them.

Figure 3. The light spectrum of fluorescent lamps is uncomfortable for chickens

In addition, the spectral range of such lamps is not suitable for chickens, and a failed lamp cannot simply be thrown away: it must be taken to a special recycling point.

Energy saving

It is energy-saving lamps that are now actively used at large poultry enterprises. In fact, these lighting fixtures have become an ideal replacement for fluorescent and incandescent lamps (Figure 4).

Energy saving light bulbs:

• have a long service life;
• consume a minimum of electricity;
• presented in a wide variety of light spectra;
• do not require the installation of special protective shades.

Energy-saving lamps have few disadvantages. Firstly, they are more expensive than other lighting devices, but the cost is offset by their long service life.

Figure 4. Energy-saving lamps are not suitable for farmsteads due to their high cost

Secondly, it is difficult to adjust the brightness in such lamps. In addition, used lamps must also be properly disposed of, as they are prohibited from being thrown into the trash.

LED

Lighting the chicken coop with LED lamps is considered the most progressive and correct. They are the ones most often used in poultry factories (Figure 5).

Figure 5. LED lamps are considered the most modern way to illuminate a chicken coop.

LED lamps have a long service life, are resistant to dirt and are available in a light range suitable for chickens. In addition, they are extremely easy to maintain, and most models have a dimmable function.

System "Dawn-Sunset"

To help poultry farmers, ready-made lighting systems are produced that are particularly suitable for chicken coops. One of the popular ones is “Dawn-Sunset”.

The device operates in the following ways:

• automatically (using a special program);
• forcibly (the mode is set manually);
• in a programmed mode (indicating date, time, glow intensity).

Using a special handle, you can turn on the light at full power. This becomes necessary when carrying out repair work and preventive measures. The device is put into automatic mode by pressing just a couple of buttons.

Reference! In the “Dawn-Sunset” system, switching operating modes is accompanied by a smooth change in the intensity of the glow. This process does not irritate birds.

Technical characteristics of the device:

• display – liquid crystal;
• number of programs – 4;
• time interval when changing modes (smooth extinguishing/switching on) – 15 minutes;
• forced switching on of lighting;
• power supply – 220V;
• power – up to 9 W;
• Duration of work: 24 hours a day;
• body parameters – 130x110x40 mm.

How to properly arrange a lighting system in a chicken coop

When installing a lighting system in a chicken coop, it is necessary to take into account some factors: the required power of the lamps, the color and intensity of flickering, turning the lighting fixtures on and off. Let's consider the main points when providing indoor lighting for chickens.

How to calculate light brightness

There are the following recommended standards for lighting a chicken coop:

• for newly born chicks, a brightness of about 30–40 lux is required;
• as they grow, the brightness can be reduced and at the age of 14 days, 5–7 lux is enough for the chicks;
• For adults, a brightness of about 10 lux is enough, but if there is a rooster in the chicken coop, then it is better to increase the lighting to 15 lux.

In order to provide the chicken coop with good lighting, a simple calculation is used - per 6 square meters. m accounts for 60 W. The required number of lamps depends on the total area. It is recommended to purchase fluorescent light bulbs with a power of 40 W. You can also use fluorescent ones with flickering, but in order not to irritate the eyes of birds, the flickering frequency should be 26 kHz. It is also possible to opt for sodium light bulbs, which according to the standard have a power of 50 W. This lamp power is well suited for illumination in darker corners.

Lamp color

What color light is best can be found out from the following information:

• The blue color has a calming effect on birds and reduces aggressiveness;
• green color has a positive effect on the physical development of young animals;
• red color is not entirely acceptable, as it can help reduce the egg production of laying hens, but this color helps well with pecking in hens;
• The orange color of the lamps helps to improve egg production.

Where to place

When installing and placing the light supply system, it should be taken into account that the distance between the floor level and the light source should be about 2 meters. The distance between the lamps should be approximately the same so that the illumination is uniform throughout the room.

A room for chickens, as a rule, has high humidity, so it is recommended to install all electrical wiring, sockets, and electrical panels outside the poultry house.

When to turn it on

In the summer, natural light is enough for birds to grow and be productive, but in the fall they should take care of additional lighting.

Reducing sunlight in winter leads to a slowdown in chicken metabolic processes and a decrease in productivity. Therefore, with the help of lighting it is necessary to create a certain duration of daylight hours.

It is recommended to do it at least 10–14 hours a day. It is this duration that has a positive effect on the puberty of the bird, that is, it accelerates it, and also helps to increase egg production by 20–30%.

Video: Lighting the chicken coop in winter

The duration of the selected daylight hours is influenced by the following factors:

• feeding time;
• weight gain and growth of broiler chickens;
• seasonal molting;
• cold or summer period of the season;
• puberty and the ability to lay eggs.

The inclusion of additional lighting using lamps usually begins in the second half of November, when the hens finish molting. To do this, turn on the lights at approximately 6 o'clock in the morning, and turn them off after sunrise. After dark, the lamps are turned on again until 8–9 pm, and then turned off. In the morning the whole process is repeated again.

The gradual transition from light to darkness and vice versa does not frighten the hens, but if the lighting is suddenly turned off, it can frighten or cause crowding and disorder. If you do not have lamps that have smooth fading and switching on, then for a gradual transition from light to darkness, use several lamps, which may not be turned on all at once.

Properly adjusted lighting of the chicken coop will increase the productivity of poultry and extend it into the winter.

What should be the lighting for the chicken coop?

The physiology of the organ of vision in birds is distinguished by the peculiarity of reacting more sensitively to light. Chickens see perfectly in good light, which cannot be said about the dark, when, due to the lack of ability to navigate in space, the birds stop activity and fall asleep. During the cold season, birds move less, receiving less food and nutrients necessary for normal weight gain and other vital processes. Therefore, it is important to provide additional lighting in the chicken coop.

The bright room is also convenient for people caring for chickens. Lamps with different lighting intensities provide unhindered access to feeders, nests, and allow for high-quality cleaning.

Reference! The light intensity in the area above the feeder should be within 60 Lux, in the corner on the perch and above the nests twilight is needed (0.5-1 Lux).

The number of lamps is calculated depending on the area of ​​the room. If birds are kept in cages, lamps are installed above the passageway. The height of their placement is slightly higher than the heads of the owners or service personnel. This way the devices will not interfere with people moving around the chicken coop. When placing feeders inside cages, you need to think about their lighting system. Otherwise, access to food will be limited.

Important! The height of the lamps in the chicken coop is 1.8-2 m. When choosing the location of the device, the height of the owners is taken into account so that it is possible to replace lamps without the use of ladders and other devices (at arm's length).

Lamps connected to the network must be equipped with shades. This will protect them from dust and moisture during operation. If birds react inadequately to the lamps, which is expressed in the desire to peck them, it is recommended to paint the glass surface of the lamps red or blue.

The easiest way to arrange lighting in a chicken coop involves supplying an electrical outlet and connecting a socket with a lamp. In this case, the owners will have to monitor the switching of the lighting mode every time. It is much more convenient to connect an electromechanical relay and periodically monitor its operation.

What are the benefits of proper lighting?

Proper organization of lighting in the chicken coop regulates the following issues.

• Monitoring of feed consumption.
• Intensive increase in body weight of the bird.
• Reducing the molting period.
• The continuous process of formation of the body of young animals, puberty.
• Increased egg production.

After a thorough analysis of the listed factors, taking into account the characteristics of the breed, a lighting program is selected.

For normal weight gain and increased fertility of chickens, it is necessary to adhere to a stable daylight hours. To do this, it is important to choose the most suitable type of artificial lighting and operating mode of the lamps. However, it is worth considering that the light should not be on around the clock.

Proper lighting in the incubator

Compliance with the brooder lighting regime is no less important for the full development and normal growth of chickens than heating. In the first 2–3 days of the chicks’ life, artificial daylight hours should be at least 21–23 hours. Then, until reaching three weeks of age, its duration is gradually reduced to 15-16 hours a day. After this, you can switch to the standard natural duration of daylight hours of 10–12 hours.

In addition, the behavior and growth of the bird is influenced by the color of the lighting. Thus, studies have shown that blue light has a calming effect on birds, red light helps reduce “bird cannibalism,” blue-green light stimulates growth, and orange-red light improves reproductive function.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with the placement of lamps in the aquarium for proper lighting

Light mode

Automatic lighting programs for poultry houses differ in the intensity of the glow at different periods of time and the duration of artificial lighting.

1. Day-old chicks require bright light and long periods of time. d.
2. For young animals raised for replacement stock and 1-2 week old broilers, it is recommended to maintain a bright glow (40-50 lux). Complete darkness is set for only one hour a day.
3. Adult laying hens need 13-14 s. d. During this time, the glow of medium brightness (10-20 Lux) is maintained.

Pros and cons of heating with an infrared lamp

Like any other type of heating, infrared lamps have advantages and disadvantages. They must be studied when choosing in order to understand the features and make a reasonable decision.

If the chicken coop has wiring for incandescent lighting, you can also connect a red lamp to it.

Advantages

The advantages of lamps for a chicken coop are much greater than the disadvantages. That is why they are used so often in different regions, including those where frosts in winter reach -40 degrees. The main advantages are:

This is the most environmentally friendly way to heat a poultry house. The lamps do not burn oxygen in the room and do not emit harmful substances, which allows you to create an ideal microclimate for laying hens. Essentially, infrared heating provides the conditions in which chickens feel best, so even winter is no obstacle to collecting the same number of eggs every day as in summer. The system works in different conditions with the same efficiency. There is no need to provide optimal humidity. Even if the air in the chicken coop is too humid, the lamp can be turned on without restrictions

Over time, it will ensure a decrease in humidity due to air heating and its optimal content, which is also important. Infrared radiation has a positive effect on the bird's immunity, increasing resistance to diseases. In addition, chickens normalize metabolic processes and improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

The heat from the lamp is as close as possible to natural sunlight, which is why it is beneficial for laying hens. The efficiency is one of the highest. The lamp does not heat the air by radiating heat, but heats all surfaces under it, the efficiency is an order of magnitude higher. It is precisely the space that is nearby that is heated; the heat, according to physical laws, rises and warms the chickens on the roost. This option is best suited for poultry houses.

Infrared lamps emit both short, medium and long waves. Therefore, surfaces located at different distances from the radiation source are heated. This ensures high efficiency in rooms of different sizes and designs. This type of heating is much easier to install than any other. It is necessary to install the wiring and secure the lamps in suitable places. If you arrange water heating, you will have to lay pipes, and making a stove is also much more difficult and expensive. The costs are low, which is also important, and the system can be assembled in a day. When the equipment operates, no convection currents are created, so dust does not circulate throughout the chicken coop and the microclimate is not disturbed. It also does not burn, so there are no foreign odors, and the air does not dry out. Lamps and heaters operate silently, this is also important, since the bird may react poorly to constant hum.

The lamp not only heats the chicken coop, but also serves as lighting, which is quite enough for the birds.

Flaws

This solution also has disadvantages that need to be taken into account when choosing a heating method for the poultry house. There are not as many advantages as there are:

1. High price of lamps. They do not have a very long resource, so they need to be changed periodically. But if you compare it with the price of water or stove heating, the money saved will last for decades.
2. The surface heats up to a high temperature. Therefore, the heat source must be installed in such a way as to prevent human or bird contact with the heater. You can do otherwise and install a protective wire frame to prevent accidental contact and protect the chicken coop from fire.

To avoid burns from a hot surface, it is better to buy a lamp with a metal frame.

Examples of lighting programs

When choosing a lighting program, it is recommended to take into account the age of the bird and its weight.

Darkness mode depending on weight (age 21 days)

Description Dawn-sunset simulator for chicken coop

Basic parameters of the sunrise-sunset simulator. I. Power supply: 220V 50Hz. 2. Quartz oscillator to ensure clock accuracy. 3. Built-in backup power supply (battery ensures the preservation of temporary settings and the running of the clock in the absence of power). 4 Phase regulation of output power (output - control pulses to an opto-triac, load current up to 300 mA). 5. Adjustable maximum output power limitation (0-100%). 6. Built-in opto-thyristor module for controlling the brightness of incandescent lamps (switching power up to 6-8 kW). 7. Built-in executive relay for turning on fluorescent lamps (switching power up to 2 kW). Attention. I. To avoid deep discharge of the built-in battery, it is not recommended to disconnect the device from the network for a long time. If a long-term (more than 2 days) shutdown is necessary, it is recommended to disconnect the battery using a special switch. located on the left end wall of the device. 2.When putting the device into operation, DO NOT FORGET TO TURN ON THE BATTERY. Otherwise, if the power is turned off, all daily timer settings will be lost! Operating principle The sunrise-sunset simulator MK-9O9 consists of two interconnected devices - a daily timer of the MK-ІЗІ series and a single-phase power regulator MK-150. I. The duck timer provides commands for smooth switching on and smooth switching off of loads connected to the power regulator at a predetermined time once during the day. A single-phase power regulator ensures the formation of the phase of control pulses with limitation of the maximum phase (unlocking angle) of the executive power triac at a given level. as well as turning on and off energy-saving lamps when a given power level is reached. To coordinate the time of smooth switching on of lamps with natural sunrise and sunset. the power regulator is controlled from a photo relay (TIMER-PHOTO relay switch) on the front panel.

'Work procedure' Description of work. Below is an example of the operation of the device with the following Daily timer. USG The “SETUP” button is used to enter the settings correction mode. which is confirmed by various blinking indicators. The “MORE” and “LESS” buttons are used to change the values ​​​​on the flashing indicators. In operating mode, the indicator shows the current time. The first time you press the “SET” button, the mode for setting the turn-on time (the “dawn” time) will turn on. The two left signs will flash at a low frequency. allowing clock input. When you press the SET button again, the two right signs will flash at the same frequency. allowing the entry of minutes. By pressing the “MORE” or “LESS” buttons, the required values ​​are set on the flashing indicators. The third time you press the “SET” button, the mode for setting the off time (sunset time) will turn on. The two left digits will flash at high speed to allow hour entry. The fourth time you press the SET button, the two right-hand digits will flash at the same rate, allowing the minutes to be entered. When you press the “SET” button for the fifth time, the mode for setting the current time of day will turn on, and the commas on the two left signs will blink, allowing the clock to be adjusted. The sixth time you press the SET button, the commas will flash on the right two digits, allowing the minutes to be entered. When you press the “SET” button for the seventh time, the current time display mode will turn on. If in any mode of entering settings or adjusting time, the pause in pressing the buttons exceeds 5 seconds, the device will automatically switch to the mode of indicating the current time with those set values. at which pressing of the buttons stopped. A quick adjustment of the time display is made by simultaneously pressing the “MORE” and “DOWN” buttons at the moment of the exact time signals - the hours are rounded to the nearest value, and the minutes and seconds are reset to zero. For example, if the clock shows 1.02 or 10.57. then after making adjustments based on exact time signals at І 1.00, the current time of the device will also become І 1.00. Power regulator. The “MORE” and “LESS” buttons are used to continuously change the output power of the regulator. By pressing 2 buttons you can change the maximum output power at any time during operation of the device. make it more or less than the previously specified value. If the power is turned off, these power limit values ​​will not be retained. To save the changed value of the regulator output power, you must press the “RECORD” button. After this operation, the power setting is stored in a non-volatile memory device. I. “Dawn” time is 6.00. 2. “Sunset” time is 22.00. 3. Current time is 5.00. 4. Power limit 95%. In such a situation, the relay for turning on energy-saving lamps is disabled. the power level is zero (on the current power indicator 001. the lamps are off. At 6 hours 00 minutes the timer will give a command to smoothly turn on the incandescent lamps. The signal LED “shm. “m.” lights up and the brightness of the incandescent lamps begins to gradually increase (by about 1 discrete every 25 seconds). After about 31 minutes, the power level will reach 75%, at this power the incandescent lamps are already burning quite brightly. Therefore, the further increase in power occurs much faster. approximately by 1 discrete every 5 seconds. When the specified power limit is reached (in our example 95%) the power regulator turns on the relay of the energy-saving lamps and begins to smoothly (but much faster, approximately 2 samples per second) reduce the brightness of the incandescent lamps. At the same time, the signal LED “;shg“×-ttgtvsch shield.: shield" lights up. In this state (energy-saving lamps are on, incandescent lamps are off) the device will remain until the current time reaches the time of “sunset.” At 22:00 the timer gives a command to smoothly turn on the incandescent lamps. The “sew” signal LED goes out and the brightness of the incandescent lamps begins to increase rapidly (by about 2 samples per second). When the specified power limit is reached (in our example, 95%), the power regulator turns off the relay of energy-saving lamps and begins to smoothly (up to 75 percent in the 1st increment every 5 seconds, and then more smoothly, in the 1st increment every 25 seconds) reduce the brightness of the lamps. At the same time, the signal LED goes out. After the incandescent lamps go out completely, the situation returns to its original state. The next day, the process of turning the lighting on and off is repeated.

In addition to nutrition, the productive performance and well-being of chickens are influenced by comfortable living conditions. Lighting in the chicken coop is especially important in winter, when daylight hours are significantly reduced. With an optimal duration of at least 12–14 hours, the birds lay eggs well, gain weight more rapidly and practically do not get sick. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the poultry farmer to take care of this in advance, either independently or with the assistance of specialists. And in order to install a lighting system with your own hands, you need to figure out what kind of lighting should be in the chicken coop.

Popular models

Infrared heaters are produced by imported and domestic manufacturers. The line of devices is represented by solutions with different technical parameters. From the huge range of heaters, the following models are distinguished.

Thermal phone ERGNA-0.7/220. Equipment for wall installation intended for heating residential and non-residential premises. It is fireproof and helps create a favorable microclimate for birds. The power of the device is 700 W - it is enough to heat a small room of 12-14 m2.

Popular manufacturers of IR lamps include the following, Philips, Repti-zoo and others.

How to choose an infrared heater for a chicken coop

The red lamp is the simplest infrared heater. There are other more efficient devices. An IR heater is different in that the rays emanating from it heat up an object in its path. They do not heat the air.

Important! A red lamp suspended from the ceiling in a chicken coop will give a better effect than a radiator mounted on the wall.

When using conventional heating devices, according to the law of physics, the heat emanating from them is directed upward. It turns out that it will be cold at the bottom of the chicken coop. The rays from a red lamp or an IR heating device are directed downwards, warming up the bedding, food, drinking bowls, nests and other objects. The reflected heat distributes evenly inside the chicken coop.

Important! The red lamp and all other types of IR heaters do not burn oxygen

The selection of an IR heating device for a chicken coop is carried out taking into account two important parameters: efficiency and operational safety. As for the first requirement, it is optimal to install an infrared heater for the chicken coop with a thermostat that automatically turns on and off at a given temperature. In terms of power, the device is selected at the rate of 80 W/m2 of the barn.

For safety, preference is given to wall or ceiling models. The bird will not be able to touch the heated device. No wires will get tangled under your feet. Red lamps are also suspended from the ceiling, but they are protected with a metal mesh, otherwise a curious chicken will break the glass bulb.

IR lamp for heating a chicken coop

Red lamps with a large glass bulb were used in the last century to heat poultry and animals. The advantage of the lighting device is that, along with heating, the barn is illuminated. If you understand the principle of operation, then this is the same infrared lamp for heating a chicken coop, which does not burn oxygen and heats only the surface of objects.

Important! To calculate the number of red lamps for a chicken coop, we assume that 1 lighting device will be able to heat 10 m2 of area. The efficiency of the red lamp reaches 98%

Due to the mirror coating on the inside of the bulb, there is a directed reflection of IR rays. Red light has a calming effect on the bird. You cannot hang a lamp closer than 1 m to any object. It is important to protect the glass flask from curious chickens. A bird can break it with a blow of its beak or wings. The best way to protect yourself is to hang a red lamp in a metal mesh

The efficiency of the red lamp reaches 98%. Due to the mirror coating on the inside of the bulb, there is a directed reflection of IR rays. Red light has a calming effect on the bird. You cannot hang a lamp closer than 1 m to any object.

It is important to protect the glass flask from curious chickens. A bird can break it with a blow of its beak or wings.

The best way to protect yourself is to hang a red lamp in a metal mesh.

IR heater for chicken coop

Using IR heaters inside a chicken coop you can create an entire heating system. It is better to buy the device with a thermostat so that it can automatically respond to air temperature. In terms of design, there are models for ceiling, floor and wall installation. It is optimal to choose an infrared ceiling heater for the chicken coop so that the birds do not get burned on the heating element. As a last resort, a wall-mounted model is suitable. Floor heating devices are not installed in the chicken coop.

Unlike a red lamp, IR heating devices differ in heating elements:

• Long-wave models are equipped with a plate heater. The element heats up to a temperature of 230°C. When installing, a maximum proximity to the object is allowed - 50 cm.
• Short-wave models are equipped with a spiral-shaped heater placed inside a glass tube. The element heats up to a temperature of 600°C. During installation, ensure a distance of 3 m from the nearest object.

The device can be installed so that it heats a large area or directs heat to a specific place. IR rays instantly warm up an object in its path, and it, in turn, gives off heat to the air.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sdLY07y684E

Effect of light on chickens

Chickens cannot live without light. Properly selected lighting will not only improve the productive system, but also reduce the number of injured individuals and correct their clock rhythms.

Lighting in a chicken coop involves dividing it into 2 components: the intensity of the light supply and the duration of its emission.

• small chickens will find food more easily;
• aggression will decrease;
• control over the growing process of chickens.

Bright light has a huge impact on chick development and subsequent productivity.

The first method is to change the mode twice a day so that the illusion of dawn and sunset appears in the room. With the second method, it is possible to carry out light changes throughout the day with several repetitions. If we take into account the opinion of experts about which mode is more productive, then farmers are inclined to the third option - continuous.

Lighting control timer

You can choose the simplest lighting control timer: the name contains the word mechanical, which implies manual adjustment.

Mechanical or electronic timer sockets are on sale everywhere. This hybrid socket with a timer is very convenient to use in the country (especially in the absence of the owners) not only for lighting, but also for automatically turning on many other various devices and equipment:

• inserted in the right place into an installed regular socket (with an electrical connection)
• the on/off program and duration of action can be configured by simply moving your hand clockwise and pressing the desired segments on the timer
• insert the plug of the device (lamp) into the timer socket
• that's all: you can sleep peacefully

How and what does chicken coop lighting affect?

Light plays one of the most important roles in the life of all life on Earth, and chickens are only proof of this. Correctly selected lighting can have a beneficial effect on the productivity of birds, reduce the number of injuries, regulate their biorhythms and make the life of a poultry farmer much more comfortable.

The selection of a lamp for the chicken coop must be made taking into account its characteristics.

There are two important factors for assessing lighting in a poultry house: intensity and duration of daylight hours. The first of them helps regulate certain processes, and its benefit is expressed in the ability to:

• helping very young chickens find water and food;
• reducing the number of cases of aggression: pecking and trampling;
• carrying out various preventive procedures with birds without creating panic and causing moral harm to laying hens;
• reducing the timing of annual molting;
• exercise control over the younger generation of chickens.

The second factor also allows you to regulate some life processes of birds, among which are possible:

• regulation of the feed consumption process;
• acceleration of broiler growth;
• control over puberty and the beginning of laying eggs in laying hens;
• in the summer months it is possible to control the thermal regime of chickens.

Both factors are fundamental and significantly affect the life of the birds inside the chicken coop. Professional poultry farmers also distinguish 2 main light modes: continuous and intermittent. The first implies a clear day-night block, that is, the light regime changes twice a day, creating an artificial dawn and sunset. The second mode allows you to create several (2 or more) light blocks during the day. But experts are still inclined to continuously illuminate the chicken coop. Young animals, laying hens and broilers need to select different light modes with different light temperatures and time of illumination of the room.

On a note! darkness is an important period in the development and maturation of the bird’s body: at this time, bone tissue is formed, a change in calcium metabolism occurs, as a result of which the egg shell becomes thicker; The immune system is strengthened, so completely isolating chickens from the dark and keeping them in constant light is also wrong.

Light brightness

When choosing lamps, you need to take into account technical parameters, in particular the light brightness indicator. It is measured in lux (Lx). To measure the product in use, you can use a lux meter. Each area of ​​the coop requires a different brightness of light.

1. 0.5-1 Lux – low intensity of glow (almost darkness).
2. about 5 Lux – light twilight.
3. 50-70 Lux – bright glow.

Adjusting the brightness of the light helps solve several problems:

• create ideal conditions for day-old chicks, where they can easily find food and water;
• minimize the incidence of egg pecking;
• carry out preventive and caring measures;
• reduce the molting period;
• monitor weight gain and overall development of young chickens.

Advantages and disadvantages of different types of lamps

Ideally, poultry house lights should consume little energy, be resistant to dust and moisture, require little maintenance and be dimmable. Several types of lamps are used in poultry farming.

Where feeders are located, the lighting should be brighter.

Incandescent lamps

“Ilyich bulbs” are no longer relevant on large poultry farms due to high energy costs. However, in a small chicken coop they are quite appropriate.

Their advantages are as follows:

• low cost of the lamp;
• ease of maintenance;
• environmental friendliness;
• good spectral range of light;
• you can regulate the degree of incandescence using thyristor units;
• if necessary, they provide additional spot heating

Fluorescent Lamp

Classic fluorescent lamps for raising chickens are also becoming a thing of the past.

It is quite widespread. This type of lamps produces uniform white light, they are relatively inexpensive and consume little electricity. They are durable, easy to install, and the cost of maintaining such a system is low.

The disadvantages include:

• cheap fluorescent lamps give a flickering effect that the human eye does not catch, but which a bird sees;
• from the point of view of chickens, such a lamp has a poor spectral range;
• to be able to regulate the light intensity, you need to purchase lamps with dimmers, which in a chicken coop are very capricious and often fail;
• Used lamps cannot be thrown into the trash - they must be recycled.

Energy saving lamp

The advantages of such lamps:

• low energy consumption;
• the ability to select the desired spectrum (warm white).

The disadvantages include the following:

• high price;
• inability to properly adjust the desired brightness;
• in poultry house conditions they do not maintain the stated service life;
• Used lamps must be disposed of.

There are special colored poultry lamps on the market from . They are called “Orion” and work on the principle of conventional “energy saving” devices. True, the cost of such light bulbs is several times higher.

If you believe the manufacturer's recommendations, the combination of different colors (blue, white, red and green) in the poultry house increases the productivity of broilers and layers. Let us note that science on this issue does not yet provide clear answers.

Installation locations

Lamps in a chicken coop should be installed in different areas, especially if the room is large. It is better to place the lamp under the ceiling, but not too high, so that you can easily change a failed light source.

In the area where the feeders are located, the lighting should be brighter than in the area where the nests are installed. Laying hens feel more comfortable in a darkened corner. Also, dim lighting is required for the area where birds rest.

When arranging lighting, it is worth covering the lamp with a shade to protect it from contamination and pecking by the inhabitants of the chicken coop.