Name: Clux meter
Cost and Availability: Check the manufacturers’ websites
Intended use
A clux meter is used to measure light intensity tailored for poultry vision at the poultry barns. The light intensity can influence birds’ activity levels and other aspects of the physiology and behavior of birds. There is considerable debate as to the optimal light intensities for poultry species. It is important to measure light intensity at various spots in the barn as light must be evenly distributed throughout the rearing area. For more information about poultry lighting refer to the Poultry Lighting article in this month’s newsletter.
Using the device
To use the device in a poultry barn, follow the following steps:
- Turn on the device by pressing the power button for one second.
- The device shows a screen with “Do dark calibration.” Click “OK” to proceed.
- Now, the device shows a screen with “Put the sensor cover on the HATO ONE.” Put the sensor cover on the device and click “OK.”
- The device shows a screen with “Dark calibration finish.” You have now finished the dark calibration. Click “OK” to proceed.
- To enter the measurement page, click “BASIC.”
- Position the device correctly and point the sensor head at the target light source. It is important to take measurements at different areas in the house, such as at animal line of sight, around the drinkers etc.
- Press the measurement button to start measuring.
- Whilst measuring, the device will beep.
- The measurement data will be shown on the screen after the last beep. Measurements will start at ID 1. The ID will go to the next measurement automatically (ID 2, 3, etc.)
- To save the measured data, click the save icon in the bottom right corner and click “Yes” to confirm. Make sure to use an SD card to save the data.
- Connect the clux meter to a computer. Go to “settings” > USB mode> select PC connection > confirm.
- Analyze the data using the software. Compare different spectra, and check distribution, intensity, color temperature and flickering all in one overview.
- The available software on the manufacturer’s website will guide you on how to use the data to optimize lighting conditions at your barn.
Mohammad was the PIP team Research Associate (2021-2024) with extensive experience in poultry nutrition. He wrote science articles for newsletters and worked on developing adaptations and recommendations to support the adoption of new managerial tools, products, services, and practices by the poultry industry.
Looking at his poultry industry perspective, Mohammad has been serving the poultry industry through his extensive experience in feed formulation as an animal nutritionist over the past ten years. He was also a university lecturer for 10 years. Mohammad was a member of the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) at the U of A. Mohammad graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from the University of Alberta with a Postdoctoral fellowship before moving to his Research Associate position with the PIP team. Serving the poultry industry as an animal nutritionist for more than a decade, Mohammad loves teaching and worked as a university lecturer in Iran and a teaching assistant at the U of A. Mohammad was inspired by Dr. Frank Robinson, practicing the inquiry-based learning method when working as a TA in his “Principles of Animal Agriculture” class. “I have a strong passion on poultry nutrition and have always loved to help poultry producers with optimizing the poultry systems. The challenging part of working with live animals is that you need to be on call even as a nutritionist. However, the joy of seeing healthy animals and help with their welfare overcome the challenging part.”
