Comparative Evaluation of Light-emitting Diode (LED) vs. Fluorescent (FL) Lighting in Commercial Aviary Hen Houses

Abstract

In this ongoing study, indoor environment, production performance, egg quality, and some welfare aspects of laying hens in two commercial aviary houses installed with light-emitting diode (LED) lights are compared with those in two aviary houses of similar hen age with fluorescent (FL) lights. To date the study (covering 18 -44 weeks of hen age) shows the following preliminary results. The daily mean temperature and relative humidity (RH) in all houses were generally maintained within 20-25°C and 50-80%, respectively. The holders of LED and FL light bulbs had similar temperatures, approximately 40°C. There were no significant differences in hen production performance parameters between the LED and FL houses. Egg weight, yolk weight, yolk percentage and yolk color factor increased as hen age increased. The Haugh unit (HU) values of fresh eggs in all four houses at 27 and 40 weeks of age were 90 or higher, i.e., much greater than the "AA grade" egg threshold of 72.