Get Control of Lighting in the Farrowing Barn – Use It as an Operational Tool

Lighting is often an overlooked factor in pig houses. But correctly planned lighting is not just practical – it is an operational tool that affects sow hormone balance, piglet welfare and your bottom line.

It is not necessarily about adding more light to the house, but about using the light correctly – at animal height, in the right places and with the right rhythm.

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More than “just light in the ceiling”

It is not only about the number of lux – it is about getting light where the animals live and where the work takes place. Many houses have large differences in light intensity.

There is strong light directly under the luminaire, but dark zones along walls and around equipment. The result is uneven welfare, unnecessary unrest and often higher energy consumption because overlighting is used to compensate.

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Hormones, daily rhythm and fertility

When a sow is exposed to sufficient light, a biological process is activated: The eye sends signals to the brain, stimulating the production of LH and FSH – hormones that control ovulation and heat.

At the same time, light suppresses the production of melatonin, which can otherwise inhibit reproduction. The principle is clear: The more correct light, the more stable hormone balance and higher fertility.

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RN Solutions’ recommendations for light levels

For optimal effect, we recommend working systematically with light levels in the different house sections. The correct level depends on animal group, function and time of day.

Night hours and inspection should be handled with red light, as the animals perceive it as darkness while staff can still see.

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The right light improves routines and results

A good lighting environment in the farrowing house increases sow appetite, supports milk production and helps piglets find feed and water quickly.

It strengthens growth and welfare – while also improving working conditions for staff. In finisher houses, light contributes to calm and structure. The animals become more active during light hours, promoting feed intake and growth.

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Do you have control of the light?

If you are unsure about the lighting in your house, start by looking at the distribution. Is the light even throughout the house – at animal height?

Are there dark zones by equipment and along walls? Are the pigs calm and active – or do they seem restless and uneven? Correct light does not just create a better environment – it creates better results.

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Get the lighting right – once and for all

At RN Solutions, we are ready to help with non-binding advice and a review of your house, professional Dialux lighting calculations and lighting plans that take animal height, rhythm and calm into account.

Contact us today and get help with the solution that fits your production precisely.