Lighting is far more than just a way to illuminate pig housing — it’s a powerful management tool that influences behavior, reproduction, and overall productivity. Understanding how light intensity, duration, and spectrum affect pigs can help producers optimize performance, improve welfare, and streamline daily operations.
Light influences many biological processes in pigs. Just like humans, pigs respond to light through hormonal and behavioral changes. Proper lighting affects:
By controlling the lighting environment, producers can create consistent conditions that support better performance throughout all stages of production.
Lighting plays a direct role in regulating sow fertility. Adequate light exposure (typically around 14–16 hours per day) helps maintain regular estrous cycles and stimulates reproductive hormones. Insufficient or inconsistent lighting can lead to irregular heat cycles and reduced conception rates.
Newborn piglets rely on visual cues to locate their mother and find the udder. Providing gentle, uniform lighting in farrowing areas helps reduce piglet mortality by improving nursing behavior and comfort. For lactating sows, appropriate light levels also encourage feed intake and milk production.
In grower and finisher units, lighting affects both activity and feed conversion. Moderate light intensity encourages feeding and movement, promoting uniform growth. Consistent light schedules help pigs establish natural rhythms, improving feed efficiency and reducing stress.
Well-managed lighting supports sow fertility by mimicking natural daylength, keeping hormone levels stable and encouraging consistent breeding cycles.
Balanced light schedules help maintain normal activity patterns, which can lead to higher feed intake and better weight gain — especially when combined with appropriate ventilation and temperature control.
Proper lighting reduces stress, aggression, and fatigue. Pigs are calmer and easier to handle under steady, non-glare light conditions.
Automated lighting systems can simulate sunrise and sunset, allowing for smooth transitions and reducing disruptions during feeding or cleaning times. They also save labor and energy through programmable settings.
LED lighting technology provides bright, uniform illumination while reducing energy costs. Long-lasting bulbs also mean fewer replacements and less maintenance.
