Farm Animals

Broiler Chicken Dark Period Welfare

Providing dark periods to broiler chickens allows natural sleep and circadian rhythm expression, with measurable welfare benefits that some producers still resist.

Key Facts

Standard commercial broiler lighting is 23 hours on, 1 hour off
Continuous near-lighting maximizes growth rate at the expense of rest
Research shows minimum 6-hour dark periods reduce leg disorders
EU welfare standards now require minimum 4-hour dark periods

Welfare Considerations

Chickens deprived of adequate darkness experience disrupted circadian biology affecting immune function, bone development, and behavior. The drive to maximize weight gain through extended lighting creates chronic sleep deprivation and leg problems in birds already predisposed to musculoskeletal disorders. Dark period requirements represent an inexpensive and effective welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose chicken from farms certified to meet higher welfare lighting standards
Support EU-level dark period requirements and equivalent global standards
Advocate for meaningful enforcement of existing lighting regulations
Consider reducing chicken consumption given the scale of welfare issues in production