Effect of light source and regimen on growing broilers.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different light sources and light schedules on the growth and quality of commercial broilers. In each experiment 810 broiler chicks were divided into 3 groups, 3 replicates per group. All were reared at 20 lux. Body weight and food consumption were recorded weekly. Experiment 1. Birds were reared under 3 light sources: incandescent light bulb, warm-white fluorescent light tube or warm-white mini-fluorescent light bulb. Experiment 2. Birds were reared on 3 light schedules. 23 h light and 1 h dark (23L: 1D) throughout; an increasing light schedule with initial 23L:1D then 8L: 16D increasing daylight gradually to 16L:8D or an intermittently increasing daylight schedule (16:8P) where light and dark periods were shorter but portioned to achieve the same total hours per day up to 16L:8D. Broilers reared under mini-fluorescent light bulb were heavier than those under fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs by 49 d. Until 42 d of age, photoperiod had no effect on growth. However, at 49 d broilers reared under 16:8P and 16L:8D regimens were heavier than those or 23L:1D. At 42 d, female broilers on 23L:1D, were heavier than those on 16L:8D and 16:8P. Mortality was higher in groups on 23L:1D than on 16L:8D on 16:8P. At 49 d incidence of leg condemnation was higher in the 16:8P group. However, skin damage was lower in this group than in those on 23L: 1D and 16L:8D.