Adjusting Chicken House Illumination: A Guide to Optimal Lighting
Adjust the illumination one week after the chicks arrive. Aviagen recommends maintaining 10-20 lx. Is your chicken house currently at 10 lx? It might be too dark. When working on a poultry farm, think from a chicken's perspective, not just your own.
Understanding Illumination and its Effects
Exploring the Inverse Square Law
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Calculating Effective Illuminance
Imagine having a light bulb emitting 100 lm. If the distance to the floor is 5 meters, the floor's illuminance reaches 4 lx.
Balancing Brightness: The Eye-Level Dilemma
Without intervention, it's 4 lx. However, entering the chicken coop may seem excessively bright due to eye level. Why adjust lighting for yourself?
Considering CCTV Brightness and Placement
CCTV screens might show the chicken house as bright. Check CCTV height and bulb distance. Office comparison: light viewed sitting vs. standing.
Revisiting the Past: Historical Lighting Insights
Please note, these are personal thoughts. In the past, an illuminance meter was rare. Chicken house height was lower, and bulb changes were easier. With advancements, are we still adhering to outdated methods?
Guidelines for Optimal Light Adjustment
Use a smartphone illuminance meter for uniform adjustments. Check bulb packaging; technical info is usually present. No luck? Visit the manufacturer's website.
Final Insights on Illumination
Compare the chicken coop's brightness to a full moon. Notice the similarity? A clear night sky's full moon radiates about 0.03 lx to 1 lx. 10 lx is brighter than expected.