Farm Animal Welfare

Broiler Chicken Lighting and Circadian Welfare

Lighting programs in broiler houses affect circadian rhythms, sleep, eye health, and overall welfare of billions of commercial chickens.

Key Facts

Commercial broilers have historically been kept under near-continuous light to maximize feed intake
Light deprivation studies show birds need periods of darkness for eye development and sleep
Minimum 6-8 hours of darkness is now recommended by major welfare schemes
Dim light during dark periods allows birds to orient without fully stimulating activity
Natural light access is associated with improved bone strength and activity levels

Welfare Considerations

Chronic light exposure disrupts circadian biology and prevents adequate sleep in broiler chickens. Sleep deprivation compromises immune function and causes chronic stress at population scale. Providing appropriate dark periods is a low-cost, high-impact welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Support broiler certification schemes requiring minimum dark periods
Advocate for evidence-based lighting standards in national codes
Choose chicken from certified farms with documented lighting protocols