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Improving energy efficiency in poultry farms through LED usage: a provincial study

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Abstract

Conventional cage layer barns typically exhibit distinct variations in light levels between tiers in cases where lamps are both ceiling mounted and where they are alternated between ceiling-mounted and drop-down fixtures. Light-emitting diodes (LED) offer benefits over traditional lamps including extended life, reduced energy consumption, no flicker and different lamp forms allowing a greater variety of applications; however, the impacts of such lighting systems have not been thoroughly investigated. A review of poultry layer farm energy consumption was conducted in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and their barn lighting profiles analysed. From this, a 3-month trial was conducted to investigate the potential of replacing conventional lighting with in-cage modular LED lighting. This initial research suggests that there is potential for the application of LED modular lamps to be used within caged systems without negatively impacting bird welfare or performance, but with the benefit of improved energy efficiency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Engineering Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, PO BOX 550, Truro, Nova Scotia, B2N 5E3, Canada

    A. Thomson & K. W. Corscadden

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  1. A. Thomson
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  2. K. W. Corscadden
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Correspondence to A. Thomson.

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Thomson, A., Corscadden, K.W. Improving energy efficiency in poultry farms through LED usage: a provincial study. Energy Efficiency 11, 927–938 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-018-9613-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-018-9613-0

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