Poorly managed lighting, on the other hand, can cause drops in lay, stress, or feather pecking, often at the worst possible time of year.
Good lighting isn’t just about installing the right kit. It’s about knowing how to use it. Experienced advisors understand how birds perceive light, how indoor and outdoor conditions interact, and how subtle changes in timing or intensity can alter both welfare and performance. They can see problems developing before they show up in production data — something technology alone can’t do.
Core Principles that Always Hold True
Consistency still trumps complexity. Birds rely on stable switch-on and switch-off times far more than on the latest light colour or spectrum. Indoor lighting should complement natural daylight, starting slightly before sunrise and finishing after sunset so the flock perceives one continuous day.
Dusk and dawn transitions of 15 to 20 minutes allow birds to settle calmly, avoiding panic flights or crowding. Lighting intensity should sit around 10–20 lux at feeder height; brighter conditions rarely improve results and can create restlessness.
Modern LED systems now offer the flexibility to adjust colour tones, from warmer (red-rich) light to cooler (blue-green) shades. The exact balance is less important than keeping the light stable, dimmable, and appropriate for the flock’s stage. A knowledgeable advisor can fine-tune these details and match the setup to your specific house design and management style. Just a note, some LED’s aren’t dimmable and often in the past we’ve seen LED’s flicker (not visible to the human eye) which can cause considerable stress to your birds.
Why Expertise Matters More Than Ever
Lighting programmes influence nearly every aspect of performance — reproduction, behaviour, feed intake, and even skeletal health. Poorly timed or uneven light schedules can unsettle birds, disrupt the laying cycle, or reduce feed efficiency.
An experienced advisor brings more than just technical know-how. They help design and calibrate systems correctly, ensure dusk and dawn ramps work smoothly, and keep timers and dimmers accurate through seasonal changes. They can interpret subtle flock behaviour — the sort of observation that takes years of stockmanship to develop — and link it back to the lighting regime.
Their role also extends to compliance. The latest RSPCA welfare standards will require free-range systems to provide at least 3% natural daylight in housing at new build or refurbishment. Advisors can help plan for this and integrate natural light effectively, ensuring both compliance and bird comfort.
October Call to Action
Now is the time to review your lighting programme:
- Check timers and dimmers to make sure artificial light properly brackets natural daylight.
- Confirm dusk and dawn transitions are functioning smoothly.
- Ask your advisor for a full photoperiod plan and maintenance schedule, not just lamp specifications.
- If refurbishing or planning new housing, build in natural daylight to meet the 3% requirement if RSPCA certification is needed.
Lighting remains one of the most influential yet overlooked aspects of flock management. Having experienced guidance behind your programme ensures that every switch-on and switch-off supports bird welfare, consistent lay, and overall flock stability through the darker months ahead.