Pig lighting

Proper lighting significantly impacts pig behaviour and overall welfare. Pigs are sensitive to their visual environment; inconsistent lighting with shadows or flickering can cause stress and disrupt natural behaviours. Implementing uniform, flicker-free lighting helps pigs navigate their environment confidently, reducing stress-related behaviors and promoting natural activities like feeding and resting. Moreover, appropriate lighting conditions can mitigate aggressive behaviors, such as tail biting, by creating a more comfortable and stable environment

Green spectrum lighting has been found to positively affect pigs' physiological development. Exposure to green light can enhance muscle growth and overall health, leading to improved meat quality and production efficiency. This specific light spectrum aligns with pigs' visual sensitivity, promoting better feed conversion rates and growth performance. Incorporating green lighting into pig housing systems can thus be a strategic approach to boosting productivity

Photoperiod plays an important role in both pig growth and reproductive performance. For growing pigs, extending light exposure to around 16 hours per day (compared to shorter photoperiods) increases activity and feeding time, which supports higher feed intake and more consistent growth rates. For breeding sows, day length influences hormonal cycles linked to melatonin and prolactin production. Longer photoperiods have been associated with improved return-to-oestrus intervals and more consistent reproductive cycling, while very short or inconsistent light exposure can disrupt these hormonal rhythms. Maintaining a stable, adequate photoperiod - alongside sufficient light intensity - supports both productivity and reproductive welfare across the herd.