Rearing and laying performance following various step-down lighting regimens in the rearing period

It is frequently recommended that commercial laying pullets are reared on step-down lighting regimens, rather than on constant short photoperiods, to help achieve BW targets during rear and optimal performance in lay. To evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy, Shaver White pullets were maintained on 8-h day lengths or given a step-down lighting regimen from 23 to 8 h over periods of between 1 and 15 wk. Other pullets, which were initially maintained on 8 h of light, were given an abrupt increase in day length prior to transfer to step-down lighting at various ages between 1 and 13 wk. All birds were given abrupt increments to 14 h at 18 wk and to 16 h at 20 wk to stimulate appetite and optimize uniformity of sexual development. Body weights at 6 and 12 wk were generally heavier and cumulative feed intakes to 6 wk were greater for birds given step-down lighting from 1 wk of age than for constant 8-h controls or birds given an initial period on 8-h day lengths prior to step-down lighting. Sexual maturity for birds on step-down lighting from 1 wk and for those on < or =5 wk of 8-h day lengths before transfer to step-down lighting was delayed by about a week compared with the constant 8-h controls or birds on 9 wk or more of 8-h day lengths before step-down lighting. These delays in sexual maturity resulted in a lower BW at 18 wk. Body weight uniformity at 18 wk was improved by step-down lighting, whether it was given from 1 wk or after a period of 8-h day lengths. Despite step-down lighting resulting in larger initial feed intakes and improved early growth, there was no significant improvement in egg numbers, egg weight, egg mass, feed intake, shell deformation, or albumen height compared with constant 8-h controls. Differences in egg output were generally the consequence of photoperiodically induced changes in sexual maturity.