Could you briefly introduce yourself and your farm?
I manage 350 large, medium and small poultry farms. Large farms consist of 6 to 18 sheds while medium-sized ones range from 2 to 5 sheds. Small ones, where animals are reared for organic production, consist of 1 or 2 sheds. We produce about 60 million broilers a year. Fileni is one of the largest Italian groups in this sector: it is the third largest group in Italy and stands out for its commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
What challenges did you face on your farm, and why was it important to address them?
In traditional confined farms, artificial light replaces natural conditions: its management is both complex and fundamental as it can directly impact animal behavior, physiology, health, and welfare. We therefore needed a reliable and at the same time flexible system, in order to be able to define optimal programs in terms of color (wavelength), intensity, spatial distribution and cycle duration.
What “good practice” did you use to tackle this problem?
We introduced the Junglite system (“Junglite light recipe”) in 2 farms, for a total of approximately 480,000 heads. The intent was to see how this system operated on animals and in particular on their behavior. Seeing a positive response, we intend to extend it to other farms as well. For now it has been installed in the other 7 sheds of 40,000 head each in the pilot-farm where it had been installed in only one shed (also of 40,000 head).
What changed after you implemented this “good practice”?
By modulating the light intensity, with the shades of green, we observed some “forms of awakening”: the animals appear more active, playful and mobile. In practice, the optimal environment for healthy growth is created. Furthermore, with the shades of blue in the preload and load phase, greater calm and therefore less nervousness is observed on the animals.
What advice would you give to other broiler farmers struggling with similar problems?
I would suggest not to underestimate the importance of light management in terms of spectra, cycles and intensities. We are satisfied with this system that allows us to maintain good performance for a long time. Junglite also has a lower cost than traditional lights: the main expense is related to the initial installation (35% more labor costs than the traditional system), offset however by a 10% energy saving.
What is the most important lesson you take from this experience?
Managing spectra, cycles, and light intensities is delicate, and we often tend to underestimate its impact on animal performance.