Farm Animals

Poultry Lighting Management: Welfare and Behaviour

Lighting programmes in poultry production significantly affect welfare through effects on behaviour, stress, and biological rhythms.

Key Facts

Continuous darkness or very low light periods were previously used to suppress activity and promote growth in broilers
EU welfare legislation now requires minimum 8 hours of dark per day for broilers to allow normal sleep
Light spectrum affects chicken behaviour, with blue light reducing stress and red light stimulating activity
Dimmable LED systems allow precise management of photoperiod and intensity for welfare and production benefits

Welfare Considerations

Lighting management is a powerful tool for poultry welfare that is frequently underutilised. Appropriate photoperiods that allow natural sleep-wake cycles reduce chronic stress, improve immune function, and promote normal behaviour expression in housed poultry.

What You Can Do

Support poultry producers demonstrating appropriate lighting management programmes
Advocate for minimum lighting standards to be enforced across all commercial poultry systems
Engage with research on LED lighting systems optimised for poultry welfare