Comparison of commercial broiler house lighting programs using LED and natural light: Part 1—spatial and temporal analysis of light intensity

Abstract

Responses to shifting consumer preferences and demands for alternative rearing programs have resulted in a re-evaluation of lighting programs by the commercial broiler industry. The objectives of this study were to compare light intensity levels, distribution, and uniformity in curtain-sided broiler houses using 2 lighting program treatments: (1) natural light only (NL) and (2) traditional light-emitting diode (LED). The natural light treatment was created by retrofitting an existing curtain with a translucent one. Combined area through which natural light entered the house equaled 10% of the total floor area. A high-density data acquisition system was used to measure light intensity (505 locations per replication) at a fixed point in time (static). Three house sections (pad, mid-house, and fan) were monitored over a 24 h period (temporal) in August and December 2020. Results from the static testing indicate that light intensities were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the pad, mid-house, and fan sections of the NL house during both testing events. Mean house section light intensities ranged from 1.8 to 71.6 lx in the LED treatment and 9.2 to 545.1 lx in the NL treatment. During both temporal testing events, light intensity was also significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the pad, mid-house, and fan sections for the NL treatment. Light intensity values were as high as 6,000 lx in the NL treatment, over 600 times higher than levels generally accepted by the industry. This study showed that provision of natural light in broiler houses drastically increases light levels throughout the house and reduces overall spatial uniformity.