Lighting conditions in poultry houses have profound effects on broiler and laying hen welfare. Light intensity, photoperiod, and spectrum all influence behavior, health, and stress levels.
Poultry lighting welfare represents an area where simple, low-cost interventions can produce significant welfare improvements. The shift from near-continuous light to a proper dark period addresses sleep welfare - chickens need circadian rest cycles for normal physiological function. Light intensity affects the ability of birds to engage in natural behaviors including dustbathing, foraging, and social interaction. Very dim conditions (as used in some systems to suppress activity and aggression) impair these behaviors and mask welfare problems from observers. Welfare-positive lighting management balances intensity, spectrum, and photoperiod to allow natural behavior expression while minimizing injurious pecking risk.