Lighting plays a major role in keeping poultry healthy and stress-free. Birds see light differently than humans because they have an extra cone in their eyes, making them more sensitive to flickering—something people may not even notice. This flicker can cause stress in birds, which is why proper lighting matters.
Can-Neth, a Canadian master distributor for several manufacturers, partners with HATO, a Dutch company focused on research-based lighting solutions for poultry. HATO designs lighting that avoids flicker by using direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC), which tends to flicker more when dimmed.
Different light colors are used for different purposes. Warm white light is best for laying hens, while cool white helps broilers and young birds grow. Blue light can calm birds, making it useful during transport or vaccinations to reduce stress. Red light can create less feather pecking and stimulate egg production.
HATO lighting systems are also designed for easy use on farms, offering pre-wired options that are very easy to install. They can be manually controlled or connected to farm management systems. Every barn receives a custom lighting plan based on each barn’s unique characteristics.
|