The tables and figure in this Factsheet provide basic husbandry information for commercial layers. Proper care and management of birds and their environment result in fewer mortalities and improved egg production. Additional information on poultry production can be found at Ontario.ca/livestock.

Table 1. Light output of compact fluorescent compared to incandescent light bulbs
Incandescent bulbs (Watts)Incandescent bulbs (Lumens)Compact fluorescent bulbs (Watts)Compact fluorescent bulbs (Lumens)
252705250
405107400
527809600
6086015900
901,540181,250
1001,680261,800
Table 2. Fan dimensions
Fan Diameter (in.)Range of Airflow (CFM) — all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressureAverage Airflow (CFM) — all airflows measured at 0.10 in. static pressure
121,400–1,8001,600
141,900–2,2002,050
162,500–3,0002,750
183,000–4,0003,500
20–223,000–5,0004,000
24–265,000–7,0006,000
368,000–12,00010,000
4818,000–22,00020,000
5019,000–27,00023,500

CFM=cubic feet per minute

Source: Agricultural fan performance test results from Bio-Environment Structural Systems (BESS) labs at the University of Illinois.

Lumens/watt of typical light sources on farms.
Figure 1. Lumens/watt of typical light sources on farms.

Accessible description for Figure 1

Table 3. Commercial layer husbandry guidelines
CriteriaBrooding (0–6 weeks)Pulling Rearing (6–18 weeks)Laying (18+ weeks)

Air Temperature

(at bird height

  • Day-old: 30–32°C
  • Two days old to 3 weeks: lowered 3°C per week to 22°C
  • 22°C
  • 22°C
Relative Humidity
  • Above 50%
  • Above 50%
  • Above 50%
Ventilation
  • 0.3–2.1 CFM/bird
  • 0.6–7.7 CFM/bird
  • 0.6–11 CFM/bird
Ammonia

Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million):

  • >10 ppm: damage to lung surface
  • >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected
  • >50 ppm: reduced growth rate

Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million):

  • >10 ppm: damage to lung surface
  • >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected
  • >50 ppm: reduced growth rate

Maximum of 25 ppm (parts per million):

  • >10 ppm: damage to lung surface
  • >20 ppm: increased respiratory issues, human eyes affected
  • >50 ppm: reduced growth rate

Lighting

Guidelines may

vary with the strain of layer

selected.

Intensity:

  • 0-6 weeks old: 10–30 lux

Duration of photoperiod:

  • 0–2 weeks old: 16–22 hours
  • 2–6 weeks old: 16–18 hours

Intensity:

  • 6–18 weeks old: 5–10 lux

Duration of photoperiod:

  • 6–18 weeks old: 8–10 hours

Intensity:

  • 18–80 weeks old: 5–10 lux

Duration of photoperiod:

  • 18–80 weeks old: 15 hours
Water
  • Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 2.5 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 10 birds/nipple of cup or 2.5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker
  • Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 5 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 10 birds/nipple or cup or 5 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker
  • Cage: 10 birds/nipple or cup (minimum 2 nipples or cups/cage) or 10 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 10 birds/nipple or cup or 10 cm of trough/bird or 90 birds/bell drinker
Feeders
  • Cage: 5 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds
  • Cage: 7.5 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds
  • Cage: 10 cm of trough/bird
  • Floor: 7.5 cm of trough/bird or 4 pans/100 birds
Densityfootnote 1
  • Cage: 160 cm2/bird (white) or 200 cm2/bird (brown)
  • Floor: 18 birds/m2 (white) or 14 birds/m2 (brown)
  • Cage: 350 cm2/bird (white) or 361 cm2/bird (brown)
  • Floor: 10 birds/m2
  • Cage: 450 cm2/bird
  • Floor: 6 birds/m2 (litter) or 9 birds/m2 (slats)

CFM = cubic feet per minute

ppm = parts per million

Values in this fact sheet are in imperial measurements, reflecting common usage in the ventilation industry.

This fact sheet was written by Al Dam, poultry specialist, OMAFRA, Guelph, and Kathleen Taylor, poultry research technician, OMAFRA, Guelph.

Accessible image description

Figure 1. Lumens/watt of typical light sources on farms

Bar graph showing wattage for typical lights. Y-axis (vertical) starts at 0 and goes up to 120. X-axis (horizontal) lists long-life incandescent bulbs on the left, then incandescent, compact fluorescent, tube t12 fluorescent, tube t8 fluorescent, tube t5 fluorescent, high-intensity discharge metal halide, and high-intensity discharge high-pressure sodium on the right.