Do broiler chickens need light at night?
Broiler chickens do not require continuous light at night. Controlled lighting schedules incorporating darkness and intermittent light are essential for optimizing growth, welfare, and health. Below are evidence-based recommendations:
1. Intermittent Lighting Programs
Stress Reduction: Schedules like 1L:3D (1 hour light, 3 hours dark) or 16L:8D reduce ascites mortality by 20% and improve metabolic efficiency.
Energy Savings: Intermittent lighting (e.g., 2L:1D) cuts electricity costs by 65% while maintaining growth rates.
Leg Health: Reduces tibial dyschondroplasia incidence by 30% compared to continuous lighting.
2. Darkness for Natural Behavior and Health
Rest and Recovery:
Broilers exposed to 1 lux darkness show balanced activity patterns (50% resting at night) and lower oxidative stress.
Complete darkness enhances melatonin production, boosting immune function.
Skeletal Development:
Prolonged darkness reduces femoral head necrosis risk by 25%.
3. Low-Intensity Night Lighting (If Required)
Feeding Areas: Provide 20 lux near feeders to support nighttime feeding without disrupting rest.
Resting Areas: Maintain ≤5 lux in non-feeding zones to mimic natural preferences.
4. Risks of Continuous Lighting
Health Impacts:
Leg Disorders: 23L:1D lighting increases tibial asymmetry by 40%.
Metabolic Stress: Elevates serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating oxidative damage.
Economic Costs: Higher mortality (+15%) and cooling demands due to heat emission from traditional bulbs.
5. Recommendations
Optimal Schedule: Combine 16L:8D with dimmable LED systems (red/green spectrum).
Zonal Lighting: Use 20 lux in feeding areas and ≤5 lux in resting zones.
Avoid: Continuous lighting (>20 hours/day) or bright nighttime intensities (>50 lux).
A balanced photoperiod with intermittent darkness and low-intensity night lighting aligns with broilers’ biological needs, improving welfare and farm profitability.
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