Measuring the impact of natural light on chicken production
Biosystems Engineering
By Jeremy Henderson
Researchers at Auburn University are studying the effects of natural light in broiler houses on bird performance and welfare.
The team, including agricultural engineers, animal scientists and extension specialists, received a $300,000 USDA grant to investigate how natural light impacts commercial broiler flocks’ growth and welfare. They will also develop methods to measure the environmental impact of using natural light and prepare presentations for Alabama poultry producers.
“In the past decade, there’s been a push to include more animal welfare measures in broiler production,” said John Linhoss, assistant professor of biosystems engineering and grant team leader. “We aim to provide science to guide producers’ decisions.”
Most broiler houses currently use LED lighting with no windows for energy efficiency and to avoid uneven lighting, which can cause varied chicken activity and growth.
However, growing consumer concerns about food production have led some poultry processors to require natural light under animal welfare guidelines, such as those by the Global Animal Partnership.
This first-of-its-kind experiment will continuously measure light intensity and duration in two setups — one with natural light and one with traditional LED light. Researchers will map light and temperature patterns and compare bird behaviors, feed intake, growth and mortality.
Alabama is the second-largest broiler producer in the U.S., with broilers accounting for 59% of its agricultural output. Linhoss’s research could help producers adapt to shifting demands by optimizing natural light use.
Researchers