Lighting programme for commercial turkeys
We explain in plain language why light and darkness matter for turkeys — not only so they can rest, but also so they grow correctly, do not peck each other and have healthy legs. Step by step, from placement of the poults to the day of collection.
verifiedFrom the team that has organised work on poultry farms for years.
A lighting programme is a plan — how many hours per day the lights are on, how bright the light is (measured in lux, the unit of light intensity) and whether we switch it on or off gradually or abruptly. For turkeys this plan changes several times across the whole rearing period. This guide is part of the turkey cluster — the full picture of turkey production is in the guide on turkey farming.
Why does the lighting programme affect turkeys so much?
Light controls the birds' biological clocks — their sleep rhythm, hunger, activity and the hormones that govern growth rate. Turkeys respond to changes in day length more strongly than many other poultry species. Too little darkness means they eat almost continuously: they grow too fast and their bones and joints cannot keep up with their muscles. That is the root of leg problems (lameness). Strong, continuous light around the clock also stimulates the flock to peck at each other — cannibalism (birds pecking one another) is one of the more serious problems in intensive turkey production.
Where do the numbers in this guide come from?
The indicative values (hours, lux) come from the Aviagen Turkeys guide for commercial turkey production (CL23). They may differ between lines and farm conditions — treat them as a starting point, not a fixed rule. Always follow the recommendations of your poult supplier. The first days of the start and temperature are covered in the guide on turkey poult rearing — the first days.
Lighting programme step by step — from placement to collection
- 1
First days: a lot of bright light (approx. 23 h, approx. 80–100 lux)
When the poults arrive on the farm they are small and see poorly. That is why the lights are on for almost the full day in the first days — about 23 hours — and the light is bright (about 80–100 lux). Bright, long light means the poults can see the feed pan and the drinker clearly, start eating and drinking quickly and waste less energy searching for food. This is one of the conditions for a good start. More on the start itself is in the guide on turkey poult rearing — the first days.
- 2
From approx. day 5: introducing darkness (approx. 8 h dark = approx. 16 h light)
From about day 5, darkness is gradually introduced — the target is about 8 hours of darkness per day. This is not just rest for the birds. Darkness slows the growth rate: in the dark turkeys do not eat and the bones have time to grow alongside the muscles. That means fewer leg problems. Without darkness the birds eat continuously, grow too fast and leg problems become a serious issue. The switch should be gradual — slow dimming rather than a sudden switch-off is less stressful for the birds. A comparison with the broiler programme is in the guide on broiler house lighting programme.
- 3
Middle phase: lower light intensity (fewer lux)
In the following weeks the light intensity (lux) is reduced. Dimmer light calms the flock: the birds are less agitated and peck each other less. Cannibalism (turkeys pecking one another) is a real problem at this stage and low light intensity is one of the simple ways to limit it. The length of the light period (number of hours) stays similar; mainly the brightness changes. Important: light should be even across the whole house — no dark corners where birds can hide and where they are difficult to observe.
- 4
Final phase before collection: programme adjustment
In the last days before collection the lighting programme sometimes changes — for example the light period is extended so the birds have more time to eat and fill up before transport. The details depend on the farm technology and buyer requirements. In every case the end of rearing is when the lighting programme is coordinated with the rest of the schedule (feed withdrawal time before collection, loading).
Lighting programme — the most important numbers
Indicative values from Aviagen Turkeys (CL23)*. Always follow your poult supplier's recommendations — lines may differ.
First days: approx. 23 h light, approx. 80–100 lux
For the first approx. 4 days close to a full-day light period is given at high intensity so the poults can see feed and water and start eating quickly.
From approx. day 5: approx. 16 h light (approx. 8 h dark)
Darkness is a condition for healthy bone growth. Without it turkeys grow too fast and the risk of leg problems rises. The transition between phases should be gradual, not abrupt.
Middle phase: lower intensity (a few to a dozen lux)
Dimmer light calms the flock and reduces the risk of cannibalism (pecking). Specific values depend on the line and house conditions.
Even light across the whole house
Dark corners are places where birds are stressed, hide and are hard to monitor. Good lamp placement eliminates shadows and makes flock monitoring easier.
Frequently asked questions about the turkey lighting programme
How many hours of light do turkeys need?add
It depends on the stage. In the first days about 23 hours of light per day are given so the poults can see feed and water. From about day 5 darkness is introduced — about 8 hours — leaving about 16 hours of light. This split is maintained through most of the rearing period, though the programme may be adjusted towards the end before collection. Always check the recommendations of your poult supplier for your specific line.
How many lux do turkeys need?add
Lux is the unit of light intensity — the more lux, the brighter the light. In the first days about 80–100 lux is used so the poults can see feed. In the middle phase intensity is reduced to a few to a dozen lux, which calms the flock and reduces pecking (cannibalism). Indicative values from Aviagen Turkeys; specific figures may differ between poult suppliers.
Why is darkness important for turkeys?add
In the dark turkeys do not eat and rest. This gives bones and joints time to grow alongside the muscles. Without darkness the birds eat continuously and grow too fast — hence leg problems (lameness) are one of the most common causes of mortality and culls in turkeys. Darkness is not just comfort — it is a brake on excessive growth. More on leg problems is in the guide on crooked legs in turkeys (TD).
How does the lighting programme affect cannibalism in turkeys?add
Cannibalism (birds pecking each other) is worse with strong, even light around the clock — the birds are more agitated and aggressive. Dimming the light (fewer lux) in the middle phase is one of the basic ways to reduce this problem. Even lighting across the whole house is also important — dark corners are places where weaker birds get pecked.
Does suddenly switching lights on or off stress turkeys?add
Yes. Sudden darkness or sudden brightness causes panic in the flock. That is why gradual dimming and brightening is used when the lighting system allows it. The birds then have time to adjust to the change and calmly return to their places.
Is the turkey lighting programme different from the broiler programme?add
Yes, there are differences. Turkeys are more sensitive to the light rhythm and have a higher risk of leg problems without darkness. The broiler programme is structured differently, with different proportions of light and darkness. The comparison is covered in the guide on broiler house lighting programme.
Sources & resources
Run turkey rearing in DlaFerm.pl
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