Lights for young stock

[Alan88]

Electrician was out at the end of the week fixing the lights in the shed for the bulling heifers and I was wondering if there was any advantage to giving them a 16 hour light day? would it increase bulling activity and feed intake for younger calves?

 

[bigw]

I think youngstock and dry cows need the opposite way around to milking cows, 8hrs daylight 16hrs darkness.

 

[Headless chicken]

Dry cows needs the opposite to milkers. Unsure on Youngstuck but my daughter sleeps a lot more than I do

 

[COWCARE SYSTEMS]

Yes, yes and yes. The correct lighting system will pay dividends to young stock

 

[Alan88]

I think youngstock and dry cows need the opposite way around to milking cows, 8hrs daylight 16hrs darkness.

Didn't need to get the lights fixed then

 

[bigw]

Didn't need to get the lights fixed then

I should actually have known this as I have a lighting system in our youngstock building but rarely use it!!

 

[stablegirl]

What's the requirement for near calving viewed then? 16 hours dark? does this not effect intakes?

 

[COWCARE SYSTEMS]

Dry cows are 16 hours of light less than 80 lux followed by 8 hours darkness or 8 hours at 200lux followed by 16 hours darkness, the first being the easiest to achieve. As the cow comes close to calving the light levels can be increased. Then she should be moved to 200 lux light level at calving.
Please remember that the most important fact regarding these light levels is the uniformity of light distribution. The Max & Min light levels must also be as close to 200 lux as possible.

 

[COWCARE SYSTEMS]

We are now stocking these LED tube lights from Luxum LED. These are ideal for damp humid environments such as parlours. Further info can be found on their website www.luxum.co.uk