Farm Animals

Broiler Welfare and Lighting Programmes

Lighting in broiler houses affects welfare through effects on activity, sleep, and the risk of welfare problems including leg disorders and mortality.

Key Facts

EU regulations require minimum 8 hours darkness in broiler houses
Continuous light increases weight gain but causes sleep deprivation and welfare harm
Dim light reduces feather pecking but also reduces activity and access to resources
Natural light access improves activity and reduces fearfulness in broilers
Intermittent lighting programmes can improve leg health and reduce mortality

Welfare Considerations

Lighting management affects multiple welfare dimensions simultaneously in broiler flocks. Providing adequate darkness periods supports sleep and recovery from the intense metabolic demands of rapid growth. Natural light when available improves activity and welfare indicators. Optimising lighting for both production and welfare requires balancing competing considerations with welfare given appropriate priority.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards requiring minimum darkness periods for broilers
Advocate for natural light access requirements in broiler housing standards
Choose chicken from farms with documented welfare-appropriate lighting programmes
Support research into optimal lighting management for broiler welfare
Encourage producers to go beyond minimum lighting standards for welfare benefit