Livestock

Lighting and Rest Periods in Broiler Production

Lighting management in broiler houses affects bird welfare through its influence on activity patterns, rest, leg health, and circadian rhythm integrity.

Key Facts

EU law requires at least 6 hours of darkness per day for broilers
Continuous lighting was historically common but causes severe eye damage and reduces rest
Intermittent lighting programmes can improve leg health by increasing activity
Birds in higher welfare systems benefit from natural light cycles and windows
Light intensity of at least 20 lux is recommended during light periods for welfare-positive outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Broilers denied adequate darkness cannot rest properly, leading to disrupted circadian rhythms and associated health impacts. Continuous light was historically used to maximise feeding time but at significant welfare cost. Providing adequate dark periods and appropriate light intensity improves bird health, leg strength, and overall welfare significantly.

What You Can Do

Support higher welfare chicken certification requiring proper lighting standards
Choose chicken products from farms adhering to minimum darkness requirements
Advocate for mandatory lighting standards in all poultry welfare legislation
Support research into optimal light programmes for broiler welfare
Encourage farm assurance schemes to include lighting assessment as a core audit criterion