What kind of stable lighting you need depends heavily on the type of stable and the type of livestock. For example, a dairy barn requires different lighting than a pig house or poultry farm. Choosing the right LED stable lighting is not only important for good visibility and safety during work, but also for the welfare, behavior, and productivity of the livestock.
LED lighting in stables ensures a natural day and night rhythm, stimulates appetite, and contributes to a healthy living environment. In addition to adequate ventilation and freedom of movement, good lighting is therefore an essential component of a modern, animal-friendly stable.
In this blog, we explain which LED fixtures are best suited for your type of livestock housing and what to consider when creating an efficient lighting plan for agriculture.
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Why is adequate lighting in the stable important?
Good lighting is essential for both the safety of employees and the welfare of animals in the stable.Adequate and properly adjusted lighting not only ensures a comfortable working environment, but also has a direct impact on the behavior, mood, and productivity of the livestock.
To provide farm animals with sufficient light, a combination of natural light through windows or skylights and artificial LED stable lighting is often used. LED fixtures provide a constant and energy-efficient light level that supports the livestock's production cycle.
Therefore, dimmable LED lighting is increasingly being chosen in modern stables. When a lot of daylight enters during the day, the light is automatically dimmed to save energy. As it gets darker outside, the light intensity gradually increases, tailored to the type of livestock and their natural rhythm.
For instance, dairy cattle often require a longer photoperiod to stimulate milk production, whereas other animal species benefit from more periods of rest in the dark for better health and balance.
Choose the right light distribution for your stable
Proper lighting distribution in the stable is crucial for both animal welfare and the comfort and safety of workers. When lighting is unevenly distributed, dark zones or overly bright spots beneath the fixtures can occur. This is best avoided, as it can lead to stress in animals and reduced visibility during work.
The light distribution in a stable is influenced by several factors, such as the height of the stable, the number of fixtures, and the beam angle of the lighting. All these elements determine how the light spreads and whether every zone is sufficiently illuminated.
To know whether your stable has the correct light distribution, it is wise to have a customized lighting calculation performed. After all, every livestock stable has its own dimensions and layout (length, width, and height), meaning a standard solution is rarely optimal.
At LedLoket you can easily have a professional lighting calculation made for your stable.This will give you insight into the ideal position, light intensity, and distribution of the LED fixtures, ensuring your stable has the perfect lighting for maximum efficiency and animal welfare.
What is needed to create a lighting plan for a stable?
To accurately perform a lighting calculation for your stable, we need some information. This allows us to precisely determine the amount and distribution of light that best suits your situation and type of stable.
For a custom lighting plan we would gladly receive:
- Type of stable: for example, dairy barn, poultry house, pig barn, or goat barn.
- Optional: photos of the current situation, such as the feed alley, cubicles, milking robots, or storage areas.
- Drawing of the stable: with clearly readable dimensions (length, width, and height).
- Preference for LED fixtures: dimmable or non-dimmable, depending on the desired light control.
With this information, our lighting specialists can draw up a professional lighting plan ensuring you get the right light intensity, distribution, and energy efficiency.
Most common LED fixtures
There are many different types of fixtures on the market. The most common types are LED High Bays, LED mounting strips/batten fixtures, and Industrial work lights. Below we explain for each fixture what it is most suitable for.
LED Battens/mounting strips
The LED Batten is the most commonly used fixture in stables. Available in various lengths, wattages, and light colors, and available in dimmable or non-dimmable versions.This lighting is resistant to ammonia, making it ideal for use in stables and storage areas.
For environments with high ammonia levels, LedLoket recommends the PRO series Batten fixtures, which are extra durable and specially developed for agricultural environments.
LED High Bay/UFO fixtures
LED High Bays are powerful suspended fixtures for high stables starting from 4 meters, such as dairy barns. Thanks to their high light output, they illuminate large surfaces with few fixtures. They are dimmable via DALI or 1–10V, energy-efficient, and provide flicker-free light for a calm environment.
Industrial work lights/floodlights
LED work lights or floodlights are ideal for lower stables or specific zones.They are often 1–10V dimmable and can be tilted, allowing you to direct the light where needed, such as toward the cubicles or the feeding alley. This creates an efficient and energy-saving lighting solution.
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In short
Optimal lighting for your animals starts with dimmable LED stable lighting. With dimmable lighting, you can easily adjust the light level to suit the time of day or the amount of daylight in the stable. This creates a natural rhythm for the animals, which benefits their rest, health, and productivity. In addition, you save energy and contribute to more sustainable business operations.
Dimmable LED lighting can be automatically controlled via a central DALI system or a 1–10V control, optionally linked to a timer or light sensor. This way, the lighting automatically adjusts to the desired light intensity without you having to worry about it.
After reading this information, are you still not entirely sure which stable lighting is most suitable for your situation? Then request a no-obligation customized lighting plan or contact one of our lighting advisors. We are happy to help you choose the right, sustainable solution for your stable lighting.
