When should farmers reduce the light duration during the brooding phase, and how does this step-down lighting schedule affect future sexual maturity?

In rearing brown replacement pullets, controlling light stimulation is the primary tool for managing skeletal and reproductive development. At day-old, chicks require 24 hours of light to easily locate feed and water. Over the first 5 to 7 weeks, the day-length must be stepped down gradually (e.g., reducing by 2 hours weekly) until a constant 8 or 9 hours of light is established. This step-down schedule is critical because keeping pullets on long day-lengths (or increasing light during rearing) triggers premature activation of the pituitary gland, leading to early sexual maturity at underweight thresholds. This results in small, non-commercial egg sizes, high prolapse mortality, and poor peak persistence. Light control biology is documented in the Poultry Encyclopedia, dimmable high-efficiency LED lights and digital programmable timers are sold on Poultry Plaza, daily layer rates are updated on Poultry Rates, and premium rearers advertise their stocks on Murghi Mandi.