The Secret to Boosting Poultry Productivity: LED Lighting

In modern poultry farms, LED lighting is no longer just “a light to see in the dark.”It has become a core technology that directly impacts productivity and farm efficiency.

By precisely adjusting the color, brightness, and duration of light, farmers can influence egg production rates, growth speed, and even electricity bills.

1. Why Light is Crucial for Chickens

Chickens are highly sensitive to light.When light enters through the eyes and skin, it stimulates the pituitary gland in the brain.This gland releases hormones that activate the ovaries and promote ovulation.

In simple termsLight acts like a traffic signal for chickens, saying, “It’s daytime, time to lay eggs!”If light is insufficient, chickens may “think” it’s still night and reduce egg production.

2. Why Egg Production Drops with Seasonal Changes

In nature, chickens lay more eggs during spring and summer when days are longer.In autumn and winter, when daylight hours shorten, egg production drops.

That’s why farms use artificial lighting to create a consistent “daytime” environment regardless of the season.This ensures stable egg production all year round.

3. Relationship Between Light Intensity and Egg Production

Research shows that hens need at least 5.8 lux of brightness for optimal egg laying.(Lux is a unit of brightness — a typical living room is about 50–100 lux.)Below 5.8 lux, light stimulation is too weak, and productivity declines sharply.

📊 Table 1. Light Intensity vs. Egg Count

Light Intensity (Lux)	Number of Eggs
0.1	228
0.2	228
0.3	223
0.5	223
0.9	226
1.7	233
2.8	235
4.8	238
5.8	240
9.8	242
14.8	242
28.8	242
42.8	242

Interpretation: Productivity peaks at 5.8 lux or above; anything lower reduces egg counts.

4. How Lighting Schedules Affect Productivity

Two main lighting methods are used in farms:

1. Constant LightingKeeps the same number of hours of light per day (e.g., 9–17 hours).Easy to manage but less adaptive to natural changes.

2. Decreasing LightingStarts with a longer lighting period (e.g., 16 hours) and gradually shortens it.Mimics natural daylight patterns, reducing stress on chickens.

   
   

📊 Table 2. Performance by Lighting Method

Rearing Period	Laying Period	Egg Count	Egg Weight (g)	Survival Rate (%)	Total Output (g)
22 weeks → 16h constant	16h → 22 weeks	156	57.0	97.6	224
22 weeks → decreasing	16h → 22 weeks	176	57.2	96.5	239
22 weeks → 9h constant	9h → 22 weeks	152	55.9	96.7	213
22 weeks → increasing	9h → 22 weeks	176	56.3	95.6	230

Interpretation: Both decreasing and increasing lighting schedules outperform constant schedules in productivity and efficiency.

5. Effects of LED Light Colors

Compared to incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, LEDs are more energy-efficient and can adjust wavelengths (colors) for specific purposes.

📊 Table 3. LED Color vs. Egg Count

Light Type	Egg Count	Notes
White LED	238.89	Baseline
Blue LED	238.11	—
Red LED	251.67	▲ 7.8% increase
Yellow LED	248.42	▲ 2.9% increase in broiler weight
Incandescent	230.84	—

Interpretation: Red LED produces the highest egg count; yellow LED helps broilers gain weight.

6. Real Farm Applications

Many poultry and cattle farms in Korea have adopted LED lighting to maintain consistent lighting throughout the year.This has resulted in higher egg production, faster growth rates, fewer pests, and reduced electricity costs.

7. Conclusion

LED lighting is not just for visibility — it’s a critical farming tool that regulates the biological rhythms of chickens, boosting egg production and growth rates.In the future, pairing LEDs with automated lighting programs will make farm management even smarter and more efficient.

📌 Key Takeaways

• Light directly impacts chicken productivity.

• 5.8 lux is the minimum brightness for optimal laying.

• Decreasing lighting schedules are the most effective.

• Red LEDs improve laying; yellow LEDs boost growth.

• Lower electricity costs + higher productivity = greater farm profits.