Light intensity is important during the first days of the rearing period in order to encourage the activity
of the chicks to discover their environment and find very quickly the water and the feed. Then, light
intensity can be gradually reduced to a level than in practice will depend on:
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the light required to inspect the birds
the degree of darkness of the building (light leaking in)
the intensity to be used during the laying period
There is a strong relationship between light intensity, physical activity, pecking behaviour and feather
loss. High intensity tends to increase the nervousness of the birds and it can result in increased
mortality by vent pecking. This risk is higher when breeders are kept at high stocking density. Using
dim light during the production period will help to obtain better liveability.
The light intensity required in production is relatively low, and it is not necessary to increase it for an
effective light stimulation. However, light should be added in the morning rather than in the evening
for a proper stimulation: under low light intensity conditions, light increases in the evening are not very
efficient when added.
Adding light in the morning, during the cooler period of the day, has also a positive effect on
encouraging feed intake at onset of lay.