Lighting conditions in poultry housing profoundly affect bird health, behaviour, and welfare, with evidence-based lighting programmes making measurable improvements across commercial flocks.
Poultry lighting is a powerful welfare lever that has historically been configured for production efficiency rather than animal wellbeing. Near-continuous bright lighting drives constant feeding activity and faster growth at the cost of rest, eye health, and natural behaviour patterns. Evidence-based lighting programmes — appropriate photoperiods, gradual light transitions, suitable intensity, and appropriate spectrum — simultaneously improve animal welfare and often maintain or improve production metrics through healthier, less stressed flocks. This rare convergence of welfare and production interests makes lighting improvement one of the most commercially tractable welfare interventions in poultry systems. Implementing improved lighting requires upfront investment in programmable systems but typically pays back through reduced mortality and better flock performance.