Lighting for Broiler Chickens
Broilers need high light for the first week, then low light. The exact values depend on the breed guide (Ross, Cobb, Hubbard) and local welfare rules.
Typical Lux Levels (measured at bird head height)
| Age | Light intensity | Light period |
|---|---|---|
| Day 0-7 (chick placement) | 30-50 lux | 23 hours light, 1 hour dark |
| Day 7 to slaughter | 5-10 lux (some guidelines say 10-20 lux) | 16-18 hours light, 6-8 hours dark |
| Minimum by law (EU Directive 2007/43/EC) | 20 lux during the light period, over at least 80% of the floor | At least 6 hours of dark per 24 hours, including one unbroken 4-hour block |
Brooding (first week): Bright light helps chicks find feed and water quickly and gets them eating well.
After day 7: Low light reduces activity, aggression, feather pecking and leg problems, and improves feed conversion. Dim gradually rather than suddenly.
Welfare rules: The EU and several retailer or welfare schemes (RSPCA, Better Chicken Commitment) require at least 20 lux. Check your country's rules, because they can override the breed guide.
Dark period: Darkness is essential for rest and healthy growth. Do not run 24-hour lighting.
Light Quality
Color temperature: 2700-4000K (warm to neutral white) is common. Some studies suggest warmer or blue-green light can help growth and calmness.
Flicker-free and dimmable: Chickens see flicker that humans cannot. Use high-frequency, flicker-free drivers with smooth 0-100% dimming.
Even distribution: Avoid bright spots and shadows, and measure lux at several places on the floor.
Use High CRI90 even CRI95 , it can help chicken eyes
Fixture Requirements (relevant to LED supply)
IP65 or higher IP67: Poultry houses have dust, high humidity, ammonia and washdown.
Corrosion resistance: Look for ammonia-resistant materials such as PC, PP or stainless steel.
Dimmable: Needed to go from about 40 lux down to 5-10 lux.
Rough fixture spacing: for 20 lux, about 2-3 W/m² of LED (at about 130 lm/W). For brooding at 40 lux, double that, or use the dimming range.
If you tell us the house size, ceiling height , we can calculate how many Poultry LED fixtures you need.
