red light for chicken coop

The use of red light in chicken coops has been studied for its effects on growth, behavior, and welfare in broiler chickens. Key findings from the literature include:

Growth Performance:

Broiler chickens incubated under monochromatic red light (632 nm) exhibited higher body weight during the rapid growth phase (days 18–21 of age) compared to those under blue light (463 nm). This improved growth rate was associated with increased passive behaviors (e.g., resting, preening) and reduced active behaviors (e.g., walking, foraging), suggesting red light may enhance energy allocation toward growth.

Behavioral Modulation:

Chickens exposed to red light during incubation displayed more resting and less aggressive or exploratory activity post-hatch. This behavioral profile, characterized by reduced stress-related actions (e.g., wing-flapping, fighting), could contribute to better welfare in confined coop environments.

Feeding Efficiency:

While not directly tied to red coop lighting, studies on feeder color preferences found that red feeders improved weight gain and feed conversion in broilers under intermittent lighting programs, indicating that red stimuli may positively influence feeding behavior and resource utilization.

Stress and Health:

Red light exposure during incubation did not significantly alter corticosterone or thyroid hormone levels compared to blue light, suggesting no adverse metabolic or endocrine stress responses. Additionally, anecdotal evidence from early 20th-century practices noted that chickens exposed to the glow of a coal fire (emitting red wavelengths) showed rapid recovery from lethargy, though this contrasts with less beneficial effects from electric lamps.

Practical Considerations:

While red light may benefit growth and calmness, poultry vision studies emphasize that chickens have specialized visual systems. For example, they exhibit preferences for higher light intensities (20 lux) during feeding, so combining red lighting with adequate intensity near feeders could optimize both welfare and productivity.

In summary, red light in coops may promote growth and reduce stress-related behaviors, but its implementation should consider lighting intensity, spatial distribution, and integration with other management practices.

Refer：Ceramiclite Lighting