Poultry lighting review links light conditions with growth, reproduction and welfare
A review of farmed birds describes different responses to light colour, brightness and timing, with substantial variation across species and production systems.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review reports that lighting conditions were linked with poultry growth, reproduction and behaviour. Blue and green light were associated with growth and muscle development, while red light was linked with reproductive activity. These findings concern birds raised in production systems and do not establish benefits of coloured lighting for people.
The abstract gives no study count, effect sizes or detailed quality assessment. Responses differed across species, genetic backgrounds and management systems, making a universal lighting conclusion difficult to support.
What the review covered
The reviewers examined lighting alongside feeding, stress responses, immune function, movement and reproduction. This broad scope connects production outcomes with animal welfare, but the abstract does not quantify the size of those relationships.
Responses depended on context
The authors describe changes in egg production, shell quality, hatchability and problem behaviours under lighting programmes they considered optimized. They highlight newer lighting systems as a research direction while acknowledging that responses depend on the flock and setting.
The original publication
Physiological role of light modulation on poultry production, reproductions and welfare: a-systematic review.
Huang Y, Ujjan NA, Syed SF et al.
Vet Res Commun · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41557185
- Record checked
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