Science is our secret
A thorough understanding of the way animals perceive and respond to the different characteristics of light matters. Here’s why:
The Visible Light Spectrum
The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to, and can be detected by, the animal eye. Different wavelengths indicate colors.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is an electromagnetic radiation not visible to humans. UV light is divided into three subcategories:
- UVA (400 – 315 nm) Visible to fish, insects and birds
- UVB (315 – 280 nm) Used for vitamin D synthesis
- UVC (280 – 100 nm) Germicidal radiation used to in the BioShift® Pass-Through Germicidal UV Chamber to strengthen bio-security. Learn about how UV light sterilization works.
Both UV-A and UV-B radiation pass through the earth’s atmosphere, reaching the surface, but UV-C radiation is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, never completely reaching land.
Animals See Different
The spectral characteristics, as well as the intensity, affect how light is perceived. What we see is made up of light reflected from the objects we look at. Eyes aren’t the only organ that processes light. Poultry identify light through extra-retinal, non-visual, pathways as well.
The Typical Human Photopic Spectral Response graph demonstrates how most humans, who have three visual cones, see green and yellow colors more intensely than they see blue and red.
How Poultry See
The Typical Fowl Photopic Spectral Response graph shows that chickens, who have four visual cones, are more sensitive to blue and red light. And what about the far left, smaller peak? It’s the UV spectrum. Chickens can see UV light, and humans cannot.
How Swine See
Swine see colors much more subdued than humans do. They have two pigment cones and can only see two distinct colors, blue and green, with the highest sensitivity being green light. The How Swine See graph shows that pigs’ eyes are least sensitive to the color red – they barely see it at all.
Learn more about light: Light: Electromagnetic waves, the electromagnetic spectrum and photons
Learn more about how Animals See Different:
- Color Vision in Humans and Various Animals, with 1, 2 or 3 cones. (YouTube Video) (6th video in a series of interesting color vision videos.)
- How Do they See? Views Through the Eyes of 7 Animals
POULTRY-SPECIFIC
- Chicken Vision, A chicken vet’s perspective on the world.
- Poultry and coloured light, a scientific discussion on poultry vision and how color of light effects poultry production. (Fee required to download)
- How Birds Got Their UV Vision.
- Lighting up the Poultry Barn PDF
- How Birds Really See the World (YouTube Video)
我们的技术
Designed to influence desirable physiological and biological processes in animals, ONCE® technology is based on decades of proven research. It benefits both the animals and your bottom line, leaving you to feel confident with your informed decision.
Junglite Green™ Technology for Broilers, Pullets and Turkeys
Junglite Green technology offers an enhanced jungle green light spectrum that replicates a birds’ natural habitat. By simulating an enhanced green light spectrum, with added blue, a birds’ developmental needs are met at each growth stage. The added red content regulates circadian rhythms, improving animal welfare.
Blue light for Broilers
Blue light has been shown to help in the growth and sexual development of poultry at a later age by elevation of plasma androgens. Monochromatic blue light has a calming effect on animals, which is particularly useful during semen collection from male turkeys. Other studies show exposure to blue light causes a decrease in blood pressure and positively effects blood glucose levels and triglyceride levels.
Monochromatic green for Pullets
Consistently, research concludes monochromatic LED source lighting increases growth in broilers reared under green monochromatic light during the early stage by enhancing proliferation of skeletal muscle satellite cells.
Dim-to-Blue Technology for Broilers, Pullets and Turkeys
Dim-to-Blue® technology encourages uniform growth by offering healthy bird development during every growth stage.
Blue light has also been shown to be helpful in the growth and sexual development of poultry at a later age by elevation of plasma androgens.
Blue and green light
Combined green and blue light promotes myofiber growth due to more effective stimulation of testosterone secretion. There is industry wide consensus that monochromatic blue light has a calming effect on animals which is particularly useful during semen collection from male turkeys.
Dim-to-Red for Layers, Breeders and Swine
ONCE® Dim-to-Red® technology provides a natural sunrise and sunset simulation, reducing stress on your animals. It designed with a deep red saturated light, with an added blue and green spectrum for poultry vision.
Improve animal welfare
The natural sunrise and sunset simulation eliminates the stress inputs of abruptly switching lights on and off, lowering mortality and supporting immune responses.
Dim-to-Red Technology for Swine
Dim-to-Red technology for Swine is directed toward minimizing extreme changes in lighting. Abrupt changes are shown to excite animals while increasing cortisol levels and inhibiting melatonin secretion – both of which have a negative effect on the well-being of the animal. By offering LED fixtures that present uniform coverage and consistent light, corticosterone levels and other stress markers are minimized, while animal welfare is improved.
Agriculture-Specific Technology
ONCE® provides a customized lighting solution that achieves what matters most: improved animal welfare, reduced stress and better flock performance. We’re able to control all lighting aspects of their environment, which allows animals to start each day with a sunrise and end each day with a sunset.
AgriShift® lighting systems are developed to meet the individual needs of your animals. They “shift” spectrum and intensity so animal performance and health can be improved simply by controlling the lighting.
ONCE® uses techniques and materials that withstand harsh barn environment for years to come with a Built For Your Barn® design. They’re made to last when regullarly exposed to dirt and dust, high-pressure wash-downs and corrosive vapors, including ammonia.
