24-lighting for beef cattle

Stuttgart

Hi guys,

You might be able to help settle an argument I'm having with my father. We keep beef cattle in slated sheds during the winter. As the sheds are quite cramped for the cattle, my father has always left the lights on all night for them, as he feels the cattle will trample each other if left in the dark.

I feel that leaving lights on all night messes with the hormones and general mental well being of the animals and that not only would they be happier/healthier in the dark, I'm sure they would be able to see/feel well enough not to trample on each other and more or less than they do in the bright.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

munkus

We'd pack them in and never leave the light on. Sounds daft.

mayota

Stuttgart wrote: »

Hi guys,

You might be able to help settle an argument I'm having with my father. We keep beef cattle in slated sheds during the winter. As the sheds are quite cramped for the cattle, my father has always left the lights on all night for them, as he feels the cattle will trample each other if left in the dark.

I feel that leaving lights on all night messes with the hormones and general mental well being of the animals and that not only would they be happier/healthier in the dark, I'm sure they would be able to see/feel well enough not to trample on each other and more or less than they do in the bright.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I'd agree with you, turn off the lights. However if you do one will probably get trampled and your auld buck will sicken you about it.

TUBBY

Stuttgart wrote: »

Hi guys,

You might be able to help settle an argument I'm having with my father. We keep beef cattle in slated sheds during the winter. As the sheds are quite cramped for the cattle, my father has always left the lights on all night for them, as he feels the cattle will trample each other if left in the dark.

I feel that leaving lights on all night messes with the hormones and general mental well being of the animals and that not only would they be happier/healthier in the dark, I'm sure they would be able to see/feel well enough not to trample on each other and more or less than they do in the bright.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

it must be an older thing. Was same here. No difference but higher esb bill. Intake no better with lights and they won't trample on each other. Leave lights off and don't worry.

from a welfare point of view, I always thought of it like battery hens. Need patterns and constant "daylight" can not be good.

just do it

Turn them off. I've yet to trample on the wife and we sleep with the light off;).

You get strike a happy medium and install one or two low level lights. It would be for d'father do rather than the cattle!

Stuttgart

My feeling would be that, when working with animals, humans can make the mistake of humanising the animals and making ill-advised decisions as a result. This is one of those situations, IMO!

Farrell

Stuttgart wrote: »

My feeling would be that, when working with animals, humans can make the mistake of humanising the animals and making ill-advised decisions as a result. This is one of those situations, IMO!

Don't forget they "know best"

Reggie.

FIL did it last year that he reckoned they ate more at night with lights on but he doesn't do it this year

I said

Tried it this year not sure about eating more,the mild winter probably had more to do with them eating less

bbam

mayota wrote: »

I'd agree with you, turn off the lights. However if you do one will probably get trampled and your auld buck will sicken you about it.

This.
Times a thousand.

Stuttgart

He would be that type alright!

I can sense there are plenty of posters on here that are exasperated with their fathers too...

on the river

Your father is taking the piss. its getting brighter and the clock is changing time.

simx

Never left lights on in slatted house or any other sheds bar if a calf was born late evening. Leave it on for that night, uncle of mine turns in lights in slatted shed when cattle go in and doesn't turn off till they honour again

nhg

We have the lights on a dusk til dawn sensor - dry stock in slatted shed and cubicles

blue5000

No lights in cattle sheds here, just sensor for the yard light where we'd be walking.

Viewtodiefor

Stuttgart wrote: »

Hi guys,

You might be able to help settle an argument I'm having with my father. We keep beef cattle in slated sheds during the winter. As the sheds are quite cramped for the cattle, my father has always left the lights on all night for them, as he feels the cattle will trample each other if left in the dark.

I feel that leaving lights on all night messes with the hormones and general mental well being of the animals and that not only would they be happier/healthier in the dark, I'm sure they would be able to see/feel well enough not to trample on each other and more or less than they do in the bright.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Have one slatted shed here since 88 and no lights in it never any problem. Mad idea of your auld fellow!! Lol

feartuath

I have a light on a timer to come on for an hour twice a night and have seen them to get up to eat when light comes on,though not all of them.
Did you ever go into a shed at 4 in the morning and they will nearly all get up and start to feed.

Miname

A neighbour leaves the lights on and radio going full blast all night. I can guarantee you its doing nothing for the performance of his stock.