Lighting for Broilers

[Muhammad Zeeshan Asghar]

For broilers, the recommended light schedule typically involves 16 to 18 hours of light per day during the growing phase. Here are some details:

1. Growth Stage

• First Few Weeks: Initially, providing continuous light (24 hours) for the first 1-3 days can help with feed intake and reduce stress.
• Transition: After the initial days, transitioning to a schedule of 16-18 hours of light is advisable.

2. Light Intensity

• Moderate Intensity: Ensure that the light intensity is appropriate for the birds’ age and environment to prevent stress and promote healthy growth.

3. Dark Period

• Rest: A dark period of 6-8 hours is essential for the birds to rest and reduce stress, promoting better growth and welfare.

4. Consistency

• Consistent Schedule: Maintaining a consistent light schedule helps regulate the birds’ circadian rhythms, promoting better health and growth performance.

Conclusion

A light schedule of 16 to 18 hours is optimal for broilers after the initial days, ensuring healthy growth while allowing for necessary rest periods.

[Olayiwola Danso]

Thanks for the information

[Asia Community Manager]

LIGHTING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BROILERS

The following should be considered as general information; however, you should always seek professional advice, specific to your individual circumstances.

Light Intensity

Initial Phase (0–7 days) – maintain a higher light intensity of 25-40 lux encourages chicks to be active and helps them find feed and water easily.

Growing Phase (after 7 days) – gradually reduce light intensity to 5-10 lux to reduce excessive activity and stress, conserving energy for growth. Intensities below 5 lux may increase stress and welfare issues.

Feeders Area – at least 20 lux (roughly equivalent to the light level of a well-lit hallway or a dimly lit office) should be maintained around feeders to encourage feeding behaviour, without negatively affecting production.

Uniform Light Distribution– with less than 20% variation across the house prevent birds from grouping in certain well-lit areas, which can lead to competition for food and water, affecting growth and welfare.

Photoperiod

Continuous light (24 hours) is recommended for the first 24 hours after placement to help chicks acclimate to their new environment.

Gradually introduce a dark period starting from day 2, for example, 1 hour of darkness at night, increasing dark periods progressively to establish a stable light-dark cycle.

Aviagen recommends that broiler performance and welfare are optimized when between 17-20 hours of light are given. Providing broilers with 23 hours of light has a negative effect on – growth rate, feed intake, mortality, processing performance, and broiler welfare.

The response to daylength does not differ between strains or sexes.

Light Color (Spectrum)

White Light – (warm white 2700–3000K or cool white 3500–4000K) is standard and preferred for broilers.

Blue And Green LED Lights– have been shown to enhance growth, body weight, and uniformity compared to incandescent bulbs.

Red Light – is more relevant for layers and breeders to stimulate reproduction but less critical for broilers.

Lighting System And Technology

LED Lighting – is widely favored due to energy efficiency, long lifespan, low maintenance, and customizable intensity and spectrum.

Use flicker-free lighting systems to avoid stress caused by flickering light frequencies perceivable by poultry.

Lighting should be evenly distributed to avoid dark spots and ensure uniform illumination.

Behavioral And Welfare Considerations

Proper lighting encourages feeding and drinking behavior, contributing to healthy growth rates.

Consistent lighting schedules help establish predictable feeding and resting patterns.

For more information:

Big Dutchman: Guide to Broiler House Lighting: Key Considerations for Broiler Producers – https://www.bigdutchman.asia/en/resources/news/broiler-house-lighting-guide

Aviagen: Lighting For Broilers – https://en.aviagen.com/assets/Tech_Center/Broiler_Breeder_Tech_Articles/English/LightingforBroilers1.pdf

[Olamide Popoola]

20 hours