Investing in LED lighting has numerous financial benefits including cheaper running costs, increased energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs. But did you know that LED lighting can also have welfare benefits for your poultry flock too? 

Chickens and light.

Chickens are very sensitive to light and perceive it differently to the way in which we do. Certain colours within the spectrum are thought to have an effect on their behaviour and general well-being.

Incandescent lighting misses many critical elements of the full spectrum found in natural daylight. LED lighting provides the closest spectrum to daylight than any other lighting option currently available. 

A correct light spectrum has been known to have a positive effect on egg condition, size, numbers and the stage at which the birds reach sexual maturity. Incorrect levels of red have been seen to increase aggression whilst in contrast, blue acts as a natural calmer. In flocks where floor egg issues have been a concern, installing moveable LED lighting to target these areas has been seen to really help reduce this problem.  

Good lighting allows a thorough daily inspection of the birds to be carried out which helps identify signs of illness or disease in the early stages. 

Preventing a 'disco' effect.

Chickens are more susceptible to light flickering than us. When we see a steady light, this may not be the case for chickens with their shed resembling a disco. Unsurprisingly, this is unsettling for the birds and can have a negative effect on behaviour. Switching to LED lighting and ensuring a correct frequency can resolve this problem. 

The dimming ability of LED lights means that dawn and dusk can be created artificially, extending daylight hours during the spring and summer months. Lengthened daylight hours may extend egg production as chickens tend to lay less eggs during the darker winter months.

Financial benefits. 

LED lighting has a number of financial and environmental benefits. Immediate energy savings can be seen upon installation of between 55% to 90% of electricity costs. They have a long lifespan of up to 60,000 hours which reduces maintenance costs as fewer replacement bulbs and fittings are required. 

Simple to install and retrofit, LED lights have a low operating heat which increases energy efficiency in comparison to traditional lighting options. Certain LEDs are waterproof which means that they do not need to removed during wash downs. This can also cut down on the number of bulbs and fittings that need to be replaced before the arrival of a new flock.  

Environmental benefits.

LED lights are made from non-toxic chemicals and are 100% recyclable, reducing carbon footprint. They do not permit harmful UV rays and have a high energy efficiency with a low operating heat.   

We provide a full suite of green technologies including Solar PV, Combined Heat and Power (CHP), battery storage, heat recovery, electric vehicle charging point installation and voltage optimisation.

Please get in touch if we can help or if you require any further information.