lights for indoor stable coop/run

[jjjennejjj]

I am converting four 11' x 19' horse stalls into grow out pens for 120 juveniles until they reach 4 months and can be integrated into my main coops and runs. Although the metal roof has a few translucent panels along the corridors that yield enough light to see, the stable portions are very dark even during the day, especially when the rollup doors are shut. Everything I have found about artificial lighting has to do with extending egg production or infra-red heat lamps in chick brooders, neither of which is my concern. I am worried about them not receiving enough sunlight for their general health. I am in southeast Texas and finding a balance that avoids predators and mud with enough sunlight seems to be tricky. Is there a full spectrum artificial lighting option that affords the benefit of sunlight?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I am converting four 11' x 19' horse stalls into grow out pens for 120 juveniles until they reach 4 months and can be integrated into my main coops and runs. Although the metal roof has a few translucent panels along the corridors that yield enough light to see, the stable portions are very dark even during the day, especially when the rollup doors are shut. Everything I have found about artificial lighting has to do with extending egg production or infra-red heat lamps in chick brooders, neither of which is my concern. I am worried about them not receiving enough sunlight for their general health. I am in southeast Texas and finding a balance that avoids predators and mud with enough sunlight seems to be tricky. Is there a full spectrum artificial lighting option that affords the benefit of sunlight?

I don’t know if you’re used to reading research journal papers, but according to this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672630/ you’re on to something:

…Particularly, full-spectrum light was effective in comb redness and reducing final comb length and oxidative stress. Furthermore, full-spectrum light improved microbial prosperity and diversity compared with the other lighting conditions. Overall, the findings suggest that full-spectrum lighting is more beneficial for broiler growth, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting gut health compared with LED infrared lighting…

This quote is from the article’s Abstract, the initial summary of the research.

I googled “artificial lighting poultry full spectrum” and got a lot of hits on products. Not having done this myself plus not knowing your budget, etc., I can’t make any recommendations, but maybe you can find something in the FS (full-spectrum) range that would work for you.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I suggest calling your county extension office and chatting with them. They should be able to hook you up with an expert.

The commercial operations house chickens without natural light, they have done studies to see what the chickens need. The Texas A&M Poultry Science department should be able to find those studies for you. That's probably who your extension office would contact.

 

[jjjennejjj]

I don’t know if you’re used to reading research journal papers, but according to this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672630/ you’re on to something:


This quote is from the article’s Abstract, the initial summary of the research.

I googled “artificial lighting poultry full spectrum” and got a lot of hits on products. Not having done this myself plus not knowing your budget, etc., I can’t make any recommendations, but maybe you can find something in the FS (full-spectrum) range that would work for you.

Thank you.

 

[Smokerbill]

I am converting four 11' x 19' horse stalls into grow out pens for 120 juveniles until they reach 4 months and can be integrated into my main coops and runs. Although the metal roof has a few translucent panels along the corridors that yield enough light to see, the stable portions are very dark even during the day, especially when the rollup doors are shut. Everything I have found about artificial lighting has to do with extending egg production or infra-red heat lamps in chick brooders, neither of which is my concern. I am worried about them not receiving enough sunlight for their general health. I am in southeast Texas and finding a balance that avoids predators and mud with enough sunlight seems to be tricky. Is there a full spectrum artificial lighting option that affords the benefit of sunlight?

I don’t know if you’re used to reading research journal papers, but according to this one https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11672630/ you’re on to something:


This quote is from the article’s Abstract, the initial summary of the research.

I googled “artificial lighting poultry full spectrum” and got a lot of hits on products. Not having done this myself plus not knowing your budget, etc., I can’t make any recommendations, but maybe you can find something in the FS (full-spectrum) range that would work for you.

I suggest calling your county extension office and chatting with them. They should be able to hook you up with an expert.

The commercial operations house chickens without natural light, they have done studies to see what the chickens need. The Texas A&M Poultry Science department should be able to find those studies for you. That's probably who your extension office would contact.

I added supplemental lighting to my chicken run yesterday afternoon to see if it helps, and thanks to this thread I found info at TX A&M. I downloaded the PDF file at the following link.

https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/lighting-for-backyard-chickens

Regarding type of lighting to use...

 

[Smokerbill]

Another interesting thing mentioned in the article is that chicks require a lot of light as they grow in order to help their reproductive systems develop. I did not know that.

 

[SourRoses]

If it were me I would hunt in the plant light category. It will likely be less expensive than specially-for-chickens lights.
There are a lot of full spectrum options, but getting the full lumens at ground level is going to take some research.
It can get confusing when you look at LED wattage, as that doesn't correspond to the wattage of other fixtures. So you wont be able to just say "Oh, I need xyz watts for xyz space".
Also, COB lights are another segment of the plant light category that are worth looking into.

Here's how I would approach it...
If all of your chickens can comfortably hang out in 1/4 - 1/2 of the space, I would make only that area the "sunning spot" with the full spectrum fixture(s). The rest of the space I would light with regular fixtures (warm, not bluish white). I say that from noticing how much time my outdoor chickens spend hanging in the deep shade. They cant possibly need full spectrum light to be everywhere.
Next I would look at uvb bulbs / fixtures. Some plant lights have started to include the uv rays, but not all and that may limit your search. A lot of reptile lights will have the UV features.
I would concentrate on making a really good sunning area with full lumens at ground level. Maybe a big area with deep sand for dust baths and lounging in the "sun".
And don't forget to have everything on a timer to set a regular schedule. If the fixtures cant be dimmed, then I would have it zoned. So the lights furthest from the roosts start to turn off first, and other timers click off every 10 mins or so. That will draw the chickens after the light that is left towards the sleeping area, and somewhat mimic a sunset. Or you may find that the regular lights can be dimmed, that would be even better.