Understanding of LIGHTING
Understanding of LIGHTING
Understanding of LIGHTING
90% 90%
80% 80%
70% 70%
60% 60%
50% 50%
40% 40%
30% 30%
20% 20%
10% 10%
0% 0%
360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760 360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760
wavelength (nm) wavelength (nm)
Figure 1. Domestic fowl photopic spectral Figure 2. Human photopic spectral response
response. (CIE 1978).
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760
wavelength (nm)
PAGE 2
Poultry Light Biology However, neither of these measurements
expresses the spectral peak intensity in the
Chickens detect light not only through the retinal
red, green, and blue spectra that are important
cone receptors in the eyes, but also via extra
for poultry growth and production. Research
retinal photoreceptors in the pineal gland and
on broilers has shown that blue and green
the hypothalamic gland. The response to light
LED lights enhance growth4. Research on layer
controls the circadian rhythm, a 24-hour cycle
pullets indicates that LED lights with a greater
in the bird’s hormonal and behavioral aspects.
portion of blue and green spectra result in
Humans are trichromatic and have retinal cones
better body weights and uniformity compared
that can determine red, green and blue. Chickens
to incandescent bulbs, although more data
are tetrachromatic, with an additional double
is needed (Settar, unpublished data). Overall,
cone whose function may be related to tracking
pullets may be reared with warm or cool lights,
movement1.
but laying hens should have lights with a
In poultry, red light is vital for stimulating sexual sufficient red spectrum3 (2700K–3000K). Light
maturity and egg production. Birds exposed to bulb manufacturers usually provide information
red light versus blue, green or white light on degrees Kelvin, or a spectrometer can be
consistently have higher egg production than used.
the other color groups. Red light is able to
Intensity – Light intensity, measured in lux,
penetrate the skull to stimulate the extra retinal
clux or foot candles, is also important for poultry
photoreceptors. Red light (around 650 nm)
production. In general, light intensity below 5
penetrates the skull and brain (hypothalamus)
lux is too dark to stimulate proper growth and
four to 50 times more efficiently than blue, green
production, while higher light intensity (above
and yellow-orange light2. The hypothalmus is
50 lux) may cause nervousness and aberrant
important in regulating the production of
behavior. The standard recommendation for
hormones important for egg production.
growing pullets is to brood for 2 to 3 weeks at
30–50 lux, and then dim to 10–15 lux until 14
Light Environments weeks. Two weeks prior to the transfer, gradually
increase the light intensity to match the levels
Chickens are affected by the duration, intensity in the layer house. Laying hens should be kept
and spectrum of light. Light can be utilized as a at an average of 30 lux at the level of the feed
management tool to help optimize pullet growth, trough.
age of sexual maturity, egg weight and egg
production in laying hens in a variety of Maintaining uniform light intensity in a modern
environments. poultry facility can be difficult. To measure light
distribution in conventional cage or colony
Duration – As a general rule, decreasing light houses with manure belts, it is ideal to take a
duration is utilized for growing pullets and measurement at the feed trough every 25 cm
increasing light duration is used to stimulate (or 1 foot) between lights and at every level.
layers. Light stimulation (usually an increase of This will typically require between 30 and 100
as little as one hour) has an immediate effect on light readings to accurately assess the light
the production of reproductive hormones. The distribution. In floor houses, measure at the wall,
standard level of light for maximum production at feeder and drinker lines beneath the lights and
is 16 hours. It is ideal to reach 16 hours of light 2–3 times in between lights for a total of 10 to 50
by 30–35 weeks to help prolong peak production. measurements.
Spectrum – Understanding the color spectrum In open-sided houses, use window shades and
given off by a light source will assist producers curtains to prevent direct sunlight from coming
in selecting a light bulb which can deliver the into the house. Even with these interventions,
proper amounts of red, green and blue light. the light intensity in open houses can easily
Light bulb color can be expressed in degrees reach above 1000 lux.
Kelvin (K) and color rendering index (CRI).
PAGE 3
Technical Update – UNDERSTANDING POULTRY LIGHTING
UNDERSTANDING LIGHT SPECTRUM, CHROMATICITY AND COLOR RENDERING INDEX
Light is the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Understanding the impact light spectrum
has on poultry production is critical for selecting the right bulb.
wavelength (nm)
440 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560 580 600 620 640 660 680 700
< 3000K:
4,000 K
warm,
dominant red
3,000 K spectrum
2,000 K
1,000 K
PAGE 4
AVAILABLE LIGHT SOURCES
Many different types of light sources are utilized in the poultry industry, ranging from open houses
under the influence of the sun to the most technologically advanced layer houses with the newest
equipment without exterior light influence. Understanding the spectral composition of different light
sources is important for selection amongst multiple lighting types.
Sunlight 100%
90%
Benefits
80%
• In equatorial regions, light from the sun
is consistent from season to season. 70%
PAGE 5
Technical Update – UNDERSTANDING POULTRY LIGHTING
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) 100%
90%
Benefits
80%
• Energy efficient
70%
• Relatively inexpensive
60%
• Similar color spectra as incandescent bulbs
50%
• Available in both warm and cool spectra (K)
40%
• Proven success in layer and breeder
industries 30%
20%
Shortcomings 10%
• Contain mercury 0%
• Uncovered spiral tubes may be difficult 360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760
to clean. wavelength (nm)
• Made out of metal and glass and are Figure 9. Spectrum of warm (2700K) fluorescent light.
prone to breakage 100%
• Bulbs do not dim well, with the potential 90%
to burn out more quickly when dimmed
80%
• While appearing to be white light, CFLs
70%
are composed of light spectrum peaks
depending on the color spectra 60%
phosphors utilized in the bulb. 50%
• Bulbs require several minutes to reach 40%
maximum light intensity when turned on. 30%
• Poor performance in cold weather 20%
• Not ideal in situations where light must be 10%
turned on and off multiple times per day.
0%
• Requires an electronic ballast to regulate 360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760
current and voltage supplied to the lamp. wavelength (nm)
Figure 10. Spectrum of cool (5000K) fluorescent light.
PAGE 6
Light Emitting Diode (LED) 100%
90%
Benefits
80%
• Provides a full spectrum of light
70%
• Typically the most efficient light bulb
measured in lumens per watt 60%
PAGE 7
Technical Update – UNDERSTANDING POULTRY LIGHTING
UNDERSTANDING LIGHT INTENSITY
MEASUREMENT
Light intensity can be measured in three ways:
luminous intensity, luminous flux and luminous
power.
Luminous flux is the total emitted visible light
from a bulb, measured in lumens. Light
Source
Angle of
Light Light
Source Dispersion
Light Meters
Ideal light meters for assessing LED bulbs are
Traditional light meters are calibrated for the
either poultry-specific light meters or LED-
human spectral response at a white color
specific light meters. Poultry-specific light
temperature with a spectrum between 550–560
meters are able to calculate the effective light
nm. These light meters are unable to assess
intensity as observed by a chicken (clux), while
blue or red spectrum and cannot calculate the
LED-specific light meters are able to analyze
difference in light response between humans
the full spectral output of the light for human
and poultry. It is important to be able to observe
vision. Only a few companies make poultry-
light intensity in both the visible blue and
specific light meters, while LED light meters are
visible red spectra due to the chicken’s wider
used by photographers and are available from
visible light spectrum.
several sources.
PAGE 8
Understanding Lumens to Assess a Light Bulb
With incandescent lights, the luminal output in Luminous flux assesses the total light output
relation to the wattage of the bulb is consistent of a bulb without any regard to direction;
across manufacturers. Most traditional however, many LED lights can emit light with
incandescent bulbs are sold in 40, 60, 75 an angle of dispersion of 30° to 180° or greater,
and 100-watt versions. With the introduction based on heat sink fins, diode direction and
of compact fluorescent lights and now LED general construction. Two identical lights—one
bulbs, most light manufacturers still relate directional (i.e. LED) and the other with global
the luminous flux of the bulb back to an output (i.e. CFL)—can have the same luminous
incandescent wattage equivalent. flux, but depending on the location in relation
to the bulb, will have very different candle and
The equivalence between CFL bulbs and
illuminance power.
incandescent bulbs is valid because both types
of bulbs emit light evenly. However, LED light
is more directional, and using lumens may not Incandescent Luminous
be accurate. Wattage and other factors, such as light flux
desired light direction, light color spectrum and 40 w 450 lumens
intended light usage, should be considered.
60 w 750–900 lumens
75 w 1100–1300 lumens
100 w 1600–1800 lumens
PAGE 9
Technical Update – UNDERSTANDING POULTRY LIGHTING
The Importance of Lens Diffusion
The light emitted from an LED bulb is inherently
directional, and may create shadows when there
is poor lens diffusion or placement in the poultry
house. While achieving a light angle output of
less than 180° can be beneficial in directing light
toward the birds, the spacing of the lights must be
appropriate to avoid shadows. Lights hung too low
or with a beam angle of less than 120° produce the
effect of “spotlighting,” where cones of light and dark
areas are created in the house. While these lights can
be utilized effectively, spotlighting can be minimized
by careful placement and spacing of the lights.
Uneven light distribution is an issue in both floor
and cage housing systems. In floor houses, uneven
lighting causes shadows, creating nesting areas for
birds and resulting in higher levels of floor eggs.
In cage or colony houses, uneven light distribution
may cause some cages to have too much or too little
light, leading to both over and under stimulation in
the same house.
LED lights do not emit as much heat as incandescent Figure 18. The LED lights installed in this house
or fluorescent lights; therefore, plastic or are too directional, too far apart and not bright
polycarbonate materials can be utilized for the lens enough. The combination of these factors leads
and diffuser. While the newer generation LED lights to the obvious shadows on the floor and poor
have better light diffusion, it is still important to light uniformity along the cages.
understand the directional light output of LED bulbs
when planning your lighting system, taking into
account the placement, light intensity and intended
usage. Most LED manufacturers have computer
programs to assess the distance, height and lumen
output required to adequately light any facility.
PAGE 10
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LED LIGHTS
Wiring
LED lights may require different electrical A good dimmable LED light requires the
wiring in a house. Some states and countries right equipment to dim even with a proper
ban the use of screw-type sockets that are not LED dimmer. A good LED dimmer will have
water-tight and instead require that lights be resistance built into the dimmer to ensure
wired directly into junction boxes. Check local consistent performance when dimmed. LED
regulations before installing or retrofitting a lights maintain efficiency when dimmed, and
house for LED lights. may increase the bulb life.
1. Poultry-specific LED lights—Although the most expensive, poultry-specific LED lights are
engineered for poultry vision, and their manufacturers understand the needs of the poultry
industry. These lights are typically rated to withstand cleaning and disinfection procedures in a
chicken house.
2. General LED lights rated for agricultural use—General agriculture-grade LED lights
usually withstand the environmental conditions of a poultry house. While these lights are less
expensive, understanding their full details (including light output, spectrum, warranty and level
of waterproofness) is important before installation.
3. Standard household LED lights—Standard household LED lights have also been used in
poultry houses with many of the same issues as the agricultural LED lights. These lights are
typically not rated for use at 16 hours per day, leading to higher levels of premature dimming or
burn out due to inadequate heat sinks or circuitry.
Overall, different types of LED bulbs have different ideal uses. Very directional lights (30–50°) placed
closely together on 6–8-foot centers (1.8–2.4 m) can provide even lighting in tall caged houses.
Very broad lights (>180°) are more effective for floor and aviary houses. Lights with medium
directionality (90–150°) can be used in a variety of environments, depending on the spacing and the
luminous flux.
PAGE 11
CONCLUSION CITATIONS
Light duration, spectrum and intensity are 1. Prescott, N. B., and C. M. Wathes. “Spectral
critical for optimum peaks and sustained egg sensitivity of the domestic fowl (Gallus g.
production. While there are many choices in domesticus).” British poultry science 40.3
lighting available to the poultry producer, (1999): 332–339.
LED lights are becoming increasingly popular
due to the combination of energy efficiency, 2. Hartwig, H. G., and Th Van Veen. “Spectral
reliability and long bulb life. As the use of LED characteristics of visible radiation
lights increases, the understanding of proper penetrating into the brain and stimulating
application in various housing types will extraretinal photoreceptors.” Journal of
increase. Lower product costs and improved comparative physiology 130.3 (1979): 277–
efficiency and application of LED lights can be 282.
expected in the future.
3. Huber-Eicher, B., A. Suter, and P. Spring-
Stähli. “Effects of colored light-emitting
DISCLAIMER diode illumination on behavior and
This technical bulletin is only intended to performance of laying hens.” Poultry science
educate producers on various lights and lighting 92.4 (2013): 869–873.
resources. Any changes to electrical systems on
4. Rozenboim, I., et al. “The effect of a green
a farm should meet local regulations.
and blue monochromatic light combination
on broiler growth and development.” Poultry
science 83.5 (2004): 842–845.
IMAGE SOURCES
Figure 5. www.mediacollege.com