Lighting programs for broiler chickens significantly affect their welfare, with insufficient darkness preventing natural rest and sleep needed for behavioral and physiological health.
Lighting programs have profound effects on broiler welfare through their influence on sleep, activity patterns, and developmental physiology. Near-continuous lighting disrupts circadian rhythms and prevents adequate rest and sleep. The EU minimum of 6 hours darkness is an improvement but may be insufficient for optimal welfare. Research shows that more naturalistic photoperiods with gradual dawn and dusk transitions improve leg health, behavioral diversity, and positive welfare indicators. Dim lighting is also used as a management tool to reduce activity and thus the metabolic and physical strain contributing to leg problems in fast-growing birds. Light color and intensity further affect behavior and welfare.