HOW LIGHT AFFECTS BROILER CHICKENS: PREFERENCES, BEHAVIOR, AND WELFARE

Lighting plays a crucial role in broiler chicken production, but do chickens have specific preferences for light color and brightness? A recent study explored how fast-growing (Ross 308) and slower-growing (Hubbard JA757) broilers responded to different lighting conditions based on their age, activity, and feeding habits.

What our Latest Study Found

Chickens were given a choice between sky blue and green light at two brightness levels (15 and 100 lux). Researchers tracked where they spent the most time, what behaviors they displayed, and how much they ate. The key findings include:

• Young broilers preferred bright green light (week 1).
• As they grew, they switched to preferring bright blue light (weeks 2–3 for fast-growers, week 2 for slow-growers).
• By the middle of the production period, there was no strong preference for any light type (weeks 4–6 for fast-growers, 3–6 for slow-growers).
• In later weeks, slower-growing broilers preferred dimmer light (weeks 7–8).
• More active behaviors occurred in bright green light, while dimmer and blue light conditions encouraged more resting.
• Feeding patterns also changed with light—initially, fast-growing broilers ate more in bright green light but later ate more in bright blue. Slower-growing broilers preferred feeding in dimmer conditions later in life.

What This Means for Broiler Welfare

The study suggests that chickens' lighting preferences change over time and vary between breeds. Instead of a one-size-fits-all lighting setup, providing a mix of light colors and intensities could help meet birds' needs at different ages and activity levels. By designing lighting programs that allow chickens to move between different light conditions, producers may be able to improve broiler welfare and optimize growth conditions.

This research highlights the importance of dynamic lighting systems in poultry farming—ensuring birds get the right light at the right time for healthier and more comfortable living conditions.

Read the full article here.