For broiler breeders, increased day length beyond how many hours of light is of questionable economic benefit?

In broiler breeders, increased day length extending beyond 17 hours of light is generally considered to produce diminishing returns in terms of economic benefits. This is because, while longer daylight hours can initially enhance reproductive performance and improve egg production by stimulating hormonal responses in the birds, there is a threshold beyond which additional light does not significantly contribute to productivity.

At around 17 hours of light, the benefits in terms of egg production tend to plateau, and beyond this, it can lead to stress or fatigue among the birds, potentially affecting their overall health and profitability. As a result, managing the light duration effectively is crucial for optimizing production without incurring unnecessary energy costs or potential adverse effects on bird welfare.