Lighting in Poultry Houses
Lighting for brooding
Lighting in poultry houses
Lighting is an essential factor in the success of the commercial production of layers and broilers.
Light intensity
Processors and breeding companies have clear requirements for both light intensities for brooding and light intensity for the growing of a flock. This usually results in a general requirement of approximately 20 lux and above for brooding and 5 to 8 lux for growing.
Light colour
Research with different coloured light has been done over many years, however, the major breeding companies still have a general recommendation for a dimmable white light.
Day length and artificial lighting
With controlled environmental shedding being the most common shedding type, there is little or no opportunity for natural light as the main light source. Therefore an artificial light source is the normal practice. Day length influences many variables, including animal welfare, laying, growth rate and skeletal development. While the breeders and processors have developed prescriptive lighting programs, which include substantial dark periods, there are currently several accepted regimes.
The following breeder guides contain more details about lighting programs for commercial poultry production;
The Poultry Hub Australia profoundly acknowledges and respects that its foundations, both people and facilities, are established on land rich in the history and traditions of the world’s oldest living culture. PHA values and respects Indigenous knowledge, understanding its importance in our shared history. We acknowledge the strength, resilience, and contributions of the Aboriginal community, we pay our tributes to the Aboriginal Elders – those who guided us in the past, those who lead us today, and those who will enlighten our paths in the future.