Farm Animals

Lighting Conditions and Broiler Chicken Welfare

The lighting regime in broiler houses significantly affects the health, behavior, and welfare of billions of chickens raised annually.

Key Facts

Many broiler houses use continuous or near-continuous light to maximize feed intake
RSPCA and EU welfare standards require at least 8 hours of darkness per day
Darkness periods reduce leg problems, ocular damage, and fear responses
Chickens under continuous light show higher rates of gait problems and eye damage
Natural photoperiods support circadian rhythms crucial to immune function

Welfare Considerations

Continuous or dim lighting increases growth rate but comes at a serious welfare cost. Broilers kept under such conditions show higher rates of hock burns, cardiovascular problems, and skeletal disease. Providing appropriate dark periods reduces these problems while maintaining commercially viable growth rates. The Better Chicken Commitment requires minimum 6 hours darkness per day as a baseline standard.

What You Can Do

Choose poultry products certified under higher welfare standards
Support the Better Chicken Commitment and similar industry pledges
Advocate for mandatory minimum darkness periods in broiler regulations
Ask retailers to require lighting welfare audits from suppliers