Laying Hen Light Management and Welfare

Light management in laying hen housing affects both productivity and welfare, with appropriate spectrum, intensity, and photoperiod supporting natural behaviour expression and psychological welfare.

Key Facts

Chickens can see ultraviolet light — UV enrichment improves navigation and social recognition
Continuous or very bright lighting causes chronic stress and abnormal behaviour in hens
Dim red light reduces feather pecking but also reduces activity and normal behaviour expression
Natural or full-spectrum lighting enables better resource navigation than standard white LEDs
Gradual dark periods allow natural sleep and rest cycles essential for welfare

Welfare Considerations

Lighting welfare is a nuanced management dimension: excessively bright continuous light maintains production but causes chronic stress; very dim light reduces pecking but suppresses normal behaviour; UV-supplemented natural spectrum light enables chickens to use their full visual range for social communication and environmental navigation. The welfare-optimal lighting programme provides appropriate spectrum, intensity, and photoperiod that mirrors natural conditions — supporting natural rest cycles, normal social behaviour, and full use of the visual capabilities that chickens evolved.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes with natural or full-spectrum lighting requirements
Advocate for lighting welfare standards in laying hen housing regulations
Choose eggs from certified farms with appropriate light management protocols
Support research into UV lighting effects on laying hen welfare
Engage with poultry industry on lighting as a welfare dimension beyond production management