Characterizing light leakage and spatial variation of illuminance in commercial broiler houses during tunnel ventilation

Authors: LINHOSS, J - Mississippi State University; Purswell, Joseph - Jody; LOWE, J - Mississippi State University; CHESSER, G - Mississippi State University

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2020
Publication Date: 12/15/2020
Citation: Linhoss, J.E., Purswell, J.L., Lowe, J.W., Chesser, G.D. 2020. Characterizing light leakage and spatial variation of illuminance in commercial broiler houses during tunnel ventilation. Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 29:(4)1091-1100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2020.06.003.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2020.06.003

Interpretive Summary: Lighting is an important environmental stimuli for poultry since it is essential for regulation of physiological processes and behavior. The lighting environment in poultry houses regardless of wall construction type is dependent, in part, upon ambient sunlight conditions. Controlling variations in light due to leakage through ventilation system components can improve live performance, however there has been no evaluation of the variation of light intensity during tunnel ventilation conditions in commercial broiler houses. Whole house intensity was measured at a fixed point in time (static) and over a 24 h period (temporal) in houses with fan shades and without. Results indicate that fan shades significantly reduce light ingress through tunnel exhaust fans and result in reduced whole-house mean intensity. Whole-house lighting uniformity was significantly improved in houses with fan shades than those without. Furthermore, an additional 1.25 h of target lighting levels (= 10 lx) were gained with fan shades installed. Overall, results indicate fan shades are an effective strategy to mitigate light ingress through fans and improve lighting uniformity in commercial broiler houses.

Technical Abstract: Providing a suitable lighting environment for commercial poultry is essential for physiological processes, ensuring welfare, and achieving production goals. Recent research has shown that poultry house illuminance (intensity) is dependent upon ambient sunlight conditions and that control of light leakage can improve live performance. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of fan shades for reduction of light leakage and spatial variation of illuminance in commercial broiler houses. Data collection systems were developed to measure whole house illuminance at a fixed point in time (static) and over a 24 h period (temporal) in house with fan shades and without. Results from static and temporal testing indicate that fan shades significantly reduce light ingress through tunnel exhaust fans and result in reduced whole-house mean illuminance. Whole-house illuminance uniformity was significantly lower (P = 0.0024) in houses with fan shades (CV = 137.4) than those without (CV = 280.8) and an additional 1.25 h of target illuminance levels (= 10 lx) were gained on the day of testing in houses with fan shades installed. Overall, results indicate fan shades are an effective strategy to mitigate light ingress through fans and improve illuminance uniformity within commercial broiler houses.