Farmed Animals

Lighting Programs for Poultry Welfare

Light intensity, duration, and spectrum affect poultry welfare through circadian rhythms, behavior expression, and health outcomes.

Key Facts

Broilers kept in near-continuous light show higher growth but increased leg problems and eye disease
Dim light suppresses activity and masks welfare problems while reducing feather-pecking
Natural spectrum light including UV improves feather condition and reduces fearfulness in hens
RSPCA standards require minimum 6 hours of darkness for broilers to allow normal rest

Welfare Considerations

Lighting programs in commercial poultry production have historically been designed to maximize growth rates without welfare consideration. Very low light prevents accurate welfare monitoring and suppresses natural behaviors. Sufficient darkness periods allow birds to rest normally, and natural spectrum light including UV allows visual communication and reduces fear responses.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken and eggs from certified schemes requiring adequate darkness and natural spectrum light
Advocate for minimum lighting welfare standards to be legally required in poultry housing
Support research into optimal lighting programs that balance welfare with production
Ask poultry brands about their lighting requirements for supplier farms