Farm Animals

Poultry Lighting and Welfare

Lighting programmes in poultry houses significantly affect welfare by influencing activity levels, feeding behaviour, sleep, and the risk of welfare problems including feather pecking.

Key Facts

Continuous light increases production but compromises welfare through sleep deprivation
EU law requires 8 hours of darkness per day for broilers
Dim lighting reduces feather pecking but also reduces activity and feeding
Varying light intensity within houses allows birds to choose preferred areas
Natural light access is associated with improved welfare outcomes in poultry

Welfare Considerations

Light management profoundly affects poultry welfare. Insufficient darkness prevents normal sleep cycles. Overly dim lighting reduces activity and access to resources. Appropriate dimming programmes during the dark period, minimum 8-hour darkness, and where possible natural light access represent the welfare-optimal lighting approach. Welfare monitoring should include assessment of light uniformity across the house.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring minimum darkness periods for poultry
Advocate for natural light access requirements in poultry housing
Choose poultry products from farms with documented lighting welfare standards
Support research into optimal lighting programmes for different poultry species
Engage with policy development on light management in poultry welfare regulations