Chicken Farms Lighting Guide

Why Lighting Matters in Chicken Farms

Chicken Farm Lighting, LED Waterproof Light Vapor Tight LightsLighting in chicken farms not only affects flock health and egg production but also farm personnel safety. Humidity, high temperatures, dust and ammonia make standard lighting fixtures unreliable in chicken house environment. Are your lights failing too often in high-moisture poultry houses? This guide will break down lighting requirements for different scenarios - chicken houses, feeding areas, walkways and manure handling zones - and provide fixture recommendations. Make lighting the foundation of production efficiency and safety.

 

Design Principles for Chicken Farms Lighting

Lighting Uniformity

Even illumination prevents localized shadow areas, ensuring every chicken operates under stable lighting conditions. Typically, recommended light intensity ranges from 20–40 lux in chicken houses, slightly lower at 10–15 lux in brooding areas, and maintained at 30–40 lux in laying zones. Linear batten lights or wraparound lighting can minimize dark spots.

Color Temperature and Spectrum Selection

Different rearing stages require distinct color temperatures:

Brooding stage: 2700–3000K warm light to reduce stress

Growth stage: 3500–4000K neutral light to promote activity

Laying stage: 4000–5000K cool light to stimulate egg production

LED spectrum should approximate natural light with a Color Rendering Index (Ra) ≥ 80 to ensure comfortable activity and visual comfort for the flock.

Energy saving and Long lifespan Design

Select high-efficiency LEDs with luminous efficacy of 110–140 lm/W to reduce long-term electricity costs. Fixtures with a lifespan ≥50,000 hours, paired with 0–10V dimming or sensor control, further optimize energy consumption. Moisture-proof and corrosion-resistant design (IP65/IP66) is an essential standard for chicken farms lighting, ensuring stable operation in high-humidity environments.

 

Lighting Requirements for Different Farming Stages

Brooding Stage

Newly hatched chicks are super sensitive. Too much light can stress them out, too little light and they can’t find feed. We recommend chicken farms to use evenly distributed low intensity lighting, 10 lux. Choose warmer color temperature (2700-3000K) to stimulate appetite and help chicks adapt to the environment faster.

Growth Stage

During growth, flocks need more light to increase feed intake and activity. Daily lighting can be extended to 16-18 hours, 15-20 lux. This lighting schedule will increase growth efficiency and healthier stronger flocks.

Laying Period

Photoperiod during laying period must be strictly controlled at 14-16 hours. Too little light will reduce egg production, too much light will increase energy consumption and behavioral issues. Proper photoperiod will stimulate regular egg laying. Use lamps with high color rendering index (Ra≥80) that mimic natural light to maintain flock health.

Rest Period

When flocks enter rest period, reduce lighting or implement intermittent lighting. This will allow hens to conserve energy, recover strength and prepare for the next laying cycle. Keep lighting at 5-10 lux and shorten lighting duration to help recovery.

 

Lighting for Different Areas in Chicken Farms

Main House Lighting

Main house is where flocks spend most of their time for activity and rest. Lighting here must be stable and uniform. Too bright light can cause stress and feather pecking in chickens, too little light impairs feeding and movement. Typically 18-30W linear moisture proof lamps are installed at 2-3 meters high to cover the entire poultry house without leaving any shadows. Light color should be soft, no harsh glare to provide a comfortable daily environment for the flock.

Feeding Area Lighting

In feeding zones, lighting should help chickens to locate feed and water sources quickly, so higher illumination is required than main house. Maintain around 30 lux to ensure clear visibility of feeders and minimize feed waste. Due to frequent exposure to grease and feed dust in feeding zones, fixtures must be dust proof and oil resistant. Corrosion resistant material for the housing is preferred to extend service life.

Ventilation and Exhaust Zone Lighting

Ventilation openings and exhaust areas have the highest humidity and ammonia levels where standard lighting fixtures are prone to damage. Lighting design should select fixtures with IP65 rating or higher to ensure moisture and corrosive gas resistance. Waterproof lights or bulkhead lights are recommended as their sealed enclosures can operate long term in such harsh environment, providing both safety and durability.

Auxiliary Passageways and Management Area Lighting

In poultry farm passageways and management zones, lighting may be slightly lower than main housing areas but visibility must be maintained for personnel patrols, cleaning and operations. To save energy, linear lights with infrared or microwave sensors can be installed, “light when people arrive and turn off when they leave”. This smart lighting not only saves electricity but also solves the problem of staff forgetting to turn off lights, making management easier.

 

Not all lighting fixtures are created equal in poultry farm lighting. Different areas and functional zones require customised lighting solutions. Below are the common choices in modern poultry operations, each with its advantages and applications.

LED Vapor Tight Lights

LED Vapor Tight LightsLED vapor tight lights are the most widely used primary lighting fixtures in chicken houses. With sealed enclosures and moisture resistant construction, they can withstand humidity and ammonia corrosion for long term stable operation. Rated IP65 or IP66, they are watertight even during high pressure washing and disinfection. With high efficiency LED modules, they achieve 120-140 lm/W, bright and energy saving. Suitable for areas that require stable lighting, main walkways and brooding zones in chicken farms.

LED Waterproof Lights

Compared to moisture proof lights, waterproof lights offer more protection, some models are IP67 rated. They are suitable for areas with extreme humidity or heavy moisture. These lights are commonly used near water sources, drinking systems or frequently cleaned floors. While their luminous efficacy is similar to moisture proof lights, their sealed design prioritises high water impact resistance to ensure reliability in damp conditions.

LED Wraparound Lights

LED Wraparound LightsWraparound lights provide overall illumination for spaces. They have wide angle beams for coverage. Fewer wraparound lights can achieve the desired ambient brightness, that’s why they are common in communal resting areas of poultry houses. Typical beam angles are 120-150° to prevent discomfort for poultry caused by localized light spots.

LED Bulkhead Lights

Bulkhead lights have robust construction, meeting IK10 impact resistance standards, making them suitable for low wall installation or areas prone to poultry collision. Their housings combine steel coated bodies with polycarbonate diffusers, offering 90% light transmission while providing impact and water resistance. They are ideal near ventilation openings or corner areas of poultry facilities, providing supplemental lighting and safe inspection.

LED Sensor Lights

Equipped with microwave or infrared sensing modules, these lights turn on or off based on human or animal movement. Very practical in auxiliary areas like chicken farm walkways and storage zones, they save energy and eliminate the hassle of frequent manual switching. Typical sensing range is 5-10 meters with adjustable sensitivity, supporting intelligent farm management.

LED Emergency Lights

Chicken farm lighting must consider power outage risk, that’s why emergency lights are a must. Most of them have built-in LiFePO4 batteries that will automatically turn on during blackout, providing 90-180 minutes of emergency lighting to prevent darkness from disrupting flock order during critical times. They have split design with separate power supply and lamp body for easy maintenance.

Comparing these options reveals: vapor tight lights and waterproof lights suit primary illumination and high-humidity zones; perimeter lights and batten lights excel at spatial coverage; while bulkhead lights, sensor lights, and emergency lights primarily fulfill auxiliary and functional roles. Only by strategically combining these fixtures can a comprehensive and efficient poultry house lighting system be established.

 

Choosing Lighting for Chicken Farms Areas

Inside the Chicken House

This is where the birds are most active and require the highest uniformity and stability of light. Moisture-proof and corrosion-resistant fixtures are top choice, preventing damage from humidity and ammonia and distributing light at 2-3 meters high. Main house lighting should be 10-20 lux to ensure comfortable feeding and resting for the birds.

Feeding Areas

Feeding zones need more light than the main house, around 30 lux. This ensures feed and water sources are visible, minimizing waste. Linear batten lights or panel lights are suitable for this application, with dustproof and waterproof properties for easy daily cleaning.

Manure Handling Areas

This is the toughest area in the chicken farms, with high humidity, dust and ammonia. Choose IP66 rated fixtures like bulkhead lights or high-protection waterproof lights to resist corrosion. Anti-glare designs also help workers see clearly and not be uncomfortable from glare.

Aisles and Work Areas

Workers patrol, clean and operate equipment here so lighting must provide basic visibility while prioritizing safety. Go for sensor equipped linear lights that turn on when people approach and off when they leave, maximizing energy efficiency. Also install emergency lights to ensure lighting during power outages to prevent accidents from darkness.

 

Lighting Recommendations for Different Farming Zones

Each area of the chicken farm has its own functions and environment, so lighting cannot be one size fits all. Here are more specific lighting recommendations by zone:

Brooding

Brooding areas need gentle, even lighting. Chicks are super sensitive to light and direct light can be overwhelming. We recommend batten linear lights or perimeter lights with dimming, 10-30 lux. This allows chicks to forage without being over stimulated.

Laying

Laying area lighting should be stable and consistent, 3000K-4000K to simulate dawn and dusk. Moisture proof lamps are recommended as the main lighting source, with sensor lamps for localized control. This gives soft, stable lighting during egg laying.

Watering and Feeding Channels

These areas are high humidity and moisture, so waterproof lights or moisture proof lights with high IP rating are required. Minimum IP66 rating to withstand water impact from frequent cleaning. Installation height should be 2.5-3m to ensure uniform lighting.

Ventilation Openings and Corner Areas

These areas are collision risks, so bulkhead lights are the better choice. With robust housing and IK10 impact resistance, they are safe even during active poultry movement. Typically installed near ventilation ducts or low walls, they provide supplementary lighting for farm inspections.

Storage and Auxiliary Passages

In these non-core farming areas, lighting is infrequent but still needed during human activity. Sensor lights are ideal, reducing energy consumption and manual operation. With wide sensing range, they turn on and off automatically upon entry and exit.

Emergency Power Outage Response

Emergency lighting is critical in poultry farms. During power failure, emergency lights turn on instantly to prevent flock panic. Systems should have fixtures with over 90 minutes runtime, installed along main paths and near critical equipment.

 

Chicken Farms Lighting Fixtures Manufacturer

Lighting is key in modern poultry. In chicken farms it’s not just about visibility but about creating the growth environment, supporting flock health and long term operational efficiency. A good lighting system can improve safety, optimise production cycles and reduce energy consumption for farmers.

As a dedicated chicken farm lighting fixture manufacturer, COMLED focuses on solutions to poultry specific challenges. From high humidity and dust resistance to long life and easy installation, our fixtures are designed for agricultural applications.

Farmers today are not looking for just basic lighting but intelligent, reliable and cost effective systems that integrate into their facilities. COMLED offers lighting products that combine performance with flexibility to support modern farming practices and better management of daily operations.

Choosing COMLED means more than just buying lighting fixtures – it’s a long term investment in sustainability, efficiency and productivity. Our solutions help chicken farms get consistent results, less maintenance and a safer environment for workers and animals.