Indoor and outdoor lighting for barns is essential for the general well-being of barn animals. Barn owners and workers also need light to perform different activities in the barn, especially at late hours.
Some animals perceive color differently, so understanding how a specific animal perceives it will help provide quality light for that animal species. This can lead to more desirable behavior and aid in high productivity.
What Light Colors Are Good for Barn
Animals perceive light differently from humans because they have different photoreceptors. When choosing the proper lighting for your barn, consider the lighting parameter best suited for a particular animal species, as this could affect their well-being.
- Poultry: Poultry animals have the same sensitivity to green lights as humans. However, they are more sensitive to blue and red lights. For broilers, blue light could improve feed conversion and increase growth.
Also, layers lay eggs better under red light. It shortens the period before peak production and promotes peak production time for layers. - Pig: Pigs are less capable of color perception than humans, and their eyes are not adapted to extremely bright light; they may be better fitted to dim natural light. They have a reduced sensitivity to the red end of the light spectrum. When under red light, pigs respond as if they are in the dark.
Furthermore, high-intensity lighting, such as spotlights, and floodlights should be avoided. Pigs prefer to sleep in dim lights to improve their resting behavior. - Cows: Proper light regulation can be crucial in affecting milk production in cows and regulating their circadian rhythm. Rightly planning the lighting structure in a barn will provide cows with sufficient light during the day, followed by a period of darkness, which is necessary for cows.
During winter, when there is insufficient light, providing the proper level of artificial light is important for cows. The recommended light intensity falls between 150 and 200 lux within 16 hours, followed by 8 hours of darkness. Natural light levels are sufficient during the summer, but lighting control may be beneficial on cloudy or dark days. Lighting Tips for Barns
- Choose ballasts that can withstand a range of temperatures.
- Incandescent lights should be avoided because they produce a lot of heat and might start a fire in the barn.
- For better energy efficiency in the long term, go for LED lights which save energy.
- Choose bulbs that have cages to protect them from easily breaking.
- Place motion sensors where animals cannot reach them.
Types of Barn Lightings
You can use various kinds of lighting fixtures in the barn for optimal illumination.
- Gooseneck or Barn Lights: These light fixtures date back to the 20th century. They are traditional barn lights but are now used for other purposes. Gooseneck lights have a curved arm shaped like a gooseneck. These lights are pointed downwards and have a weather-resistant shade that protects the light bulb.
The gooseneck light can help provide moderate lighting in the barn. You can use barn lights within animal housings since their lights are narrowed, and too much light is unsuitable for animals.
- Canopy Lights: Canopy lights are bright light fixtures. Indoors, they are installed on ceilings, while outside, they are installed on overhangs. Canopy Lights provide a wide beam of light and are suitable for barn lighting. They are ideal for wet locations and are durable. Installing this light in the ceiling will adequately illuminate the barn, thereby improving visibility.
- Wall Pack Lights: When choosing outdoor lights for the barn, wall pack light is a great option. Wall Pack lights are fixed to the wall facing out. They can be used to illuminate the surrounding of the barn for security purposes and general illumination. Wall Pack lights have a robust structure that can withstand the weather. These lights can also have smart features, like the photocell or motion sensor.
Whichever barn lighting you decide to choose, it is advisable to go for those using LED technology. Homes and industries are quickly shifting away from traditional lights to LED light technology. Farmhouses should not be exempted, so barn lights should be LED lights.
Benefits of LED Barn Lights
- Long-Lasting: LED lights' lifespan makes them an excellent option for barn lighting. LED light can last for over 50,000 hours, which is more than half of the lifespan of other traditional light bulbs.
- Low Maintenance: LED barn lights require low maintenance. They outlive traditional lights, so you might not replace them very often.
- No Warm-Up Time: LED lights come on instantly to full capacity, which makes them very efficient for lighting. While warming up, fluorescent lights flicker, which could be uncomfortable for animals, especially poultry animals, as they can easily detect light flickers.
- Brightness: LED barn lights are bright, so not much is needed to light up the whole barn. When bright light is not needed, dimmable LED lights can be dimmed to reduce the intensity.
- Weather Resistant: Unlike some traditional lights like the halogen bulb, LED lights are not affected by the cold. They are also barely affected by other elements.
- Smart Dimming Features: LED lights are versatile, and for barn lighting, this is of great advantage. Smart Dimming technologies can be installed on them to manage light output better.
The photocell light control technology works well with LEDs. You could program the light to off during the day and come up at night. Using smart features will save a lot of energy and prevent waste.
- Saves Energy: Unlike the incandescent bulb, which has to heat the filament before the light is produced, LEDs are made of diodes. Since they don't produce much heat, there's less energy waste. LED lights reduce the cost of electricity bills.
Importance of Barn Lighting
Barn lighting is needed to effectively carry out activities like feeding, watering, milking, cleaning, and treating barn animals.
Barn lights can promote productivity by creating a sense of time for animals, as some require dark periods in order to reproduce. Barn lights can be timed to create this atmosphere for animals artificially. Daylight bulbs can significantly create a sense of daylight for animals.
As with humans, barn lights create a warm environment for livestock, helping them to relax and settle in nicely. Lighting makes animals alert and active, thereby improving their well-being and fitness.
Conclusion
Lighting a barn is crucial for productivity and efficiency. LED lights offer the best service for barns. They provide dimmable low-heat lighting. These lights also last longer and have a low maintenance cost. LED barn lights are versatile and essential in the barn's day-to-day running.
