Light for quails: is it necessary at night and lighting mode at home
Quail as an agricultural bird gained recognition about 15 years ago. They have he althy eggs, shown in some diseases, tender meat. And the very breeding of these birds is simple. If there are few of them, then it is quite possible to equip a corner on the balcony even in a city apartment. It is optimal, of course, to allocate a separate room for the birds. The problem is that their life is directly dependent on lighting. How to get light into a quail cage?
The role of lighting in keeping quails
These birds have an accelerated metabolism, which indirectly depends on the amount and intensity of light.If the cage is too light, then the quails become aggressive. They peck at each other, and weak individuals sometimes die. If there is not enough light, then egg production and the general activity of birds are reduced.
Experienced poultry farmers recommend using lamps with blue or red glasses. They reduce the intensity of radiation, make the lighting in the cage more comfortable for small residents.
Selection and installation of fixtures at home
In addition to artificial, quails also need daylight. It is optimal to place the cage so that the sun falls on it during the day, and lamps illuminate it in the evening. In winter, artificial light should completely replace natural light for the inhabitants of a mini-farm.
Infrared lamps are considered a cheap and convenient option. They shine dimly and help maintain the desired temperature. However, they require frequent replacement.
If in the long term keeping the bird, it is reasonable to invest in LED lamps.They are economical in operation, shine softly. It is not recommended to put conventional incandescent lamps in the house. They are warm, but they do not provide ultraviolet light, which is necessary for all living organisms to produce vitamin D.
The lighting standard for egg production is 25-30 lux, for rearing for meat - 35 lux. These indicators must be observed at feeders and drinkers. Here it is worth thinking about how to properly place the lamps, depending on the type and number of cages.
Light mode for quails
The birds should have a light on for at least 15 hours a day, and in winter you can even leave it on. Quail rest 4-5 hours a day. But, given their accelerated metabolism, it is also wrong to completely deprive birds of lighting at night.For such a long rest, the quail will get hungry, and then overeat. It is optimal to observe approximately the following light regime:
- from 6:00 to 00:00 the lamps are on;
- birds rest from 00:00 to 2:00;
- from 2:00 to 4:00 the lamps are on, the birds are eating;
- from 4:00 to 6:00 the second part of the holiday.
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