Effect of light-emitting diode vs. fluorescent lighting on laying hens in aviary hen houses: Part 1 – Operational characteristics of lights and production traits of hens

Abstract

Light-emitting diode (LED) lights are becoming more affordable for agricultural applications. Despite many lab-scale studies concerning impact of LED on poultry, little research has been documented under field production conditions, especially for laying hens. This 15-month field study was carried out to evaluate the effects of LED vs. fluorescent (FL) lights on laying hens (Dekalb white breed) using 4 (2 pairs) aviary hen houses each at a nominal capacity of 50,000 hens. The evaluation was done regarding operational characteristics of the lights and hen production traits. The results show that spatial distribution of the LED light was less uniform than that of the FL light. Light intensity of the LED light decreased by 27% after 3,360 h use but remained quite steady from 3,360 to 5,760 h use. Eleven out of 762 (1.44%) LED lamps (new at onset of the study) in the 2 houses failed during the 15-month experiment period. The neck area of the LED lamp was hottest, presumably the primary reason for the lamp failure as cracks were noticed in the neck region of all failed LED lamps. No differences were observed in egg weight, hen-day egg production, feed use, and mortality rate between LED and FL regimens. However, hens under the FL had higher eggs per hen housed and better feed conversion than those under the LED during 20 to 70 wk production (P < 0.05). Hens under the LED tended to have less feather uniformity and insulation than those under the FL (P < 0.05). Moreover, hens under the LED showed a larger median avoidance distance than those under the FL at 36 wk age (P < 0.05), indicating that hens under the LED were more alert; but no difference at 60 wk age. More comparative research to quantify behavioral and production responses of different breeds of hens to LED vs. FL lighting seems warranted.

Spacial Illuminances Variability and Energy Consumption in Aviaries for Laying Hens Equiped With Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Light Emitting Diode

“…The production environment, usually humid and with a lot of suspended dusty can aggravate this situation. LONG et al (2015) evaluated the depreciation of the luminous flux of LED lamps in aviaries and found a decrease of 27% in the illuminance level after 3,360 hours of use.…”

Impact of light-emitting diode and compact fluorescent lighting type and cage tier on layers reared in an enriched cage system, part 2: some welfare traits

“…In the study, the effect of light type on aggressive behaviors in layers at 25 weeks of age was not significant (P > 0.05), while it was found to be significant at 45 weeks of age (P < 0.01). According to some LED manufacturers, LED lights make birds calm and less aggressive than other light sources [14]. Thus, more aggressive behavior was found in the FLO group than the LED group at 45 weeks of age (P < 0.01).…”

“…Then petri dishes were collected and dried at 105 °C for 24 h in the oven. The dry dust weight was determined according to Long et al [14].…”

“…There are various studies on lighting in conventional cage systems. However, there are few studies on the effects of LED light on layers reared in alternative rearing systems [9,14]. Moreover, there is little information about the effect of LED and fluorescent lighting on production performance, egg quality, stress, and fear in hens [9,14,15].…”

“…However, there are few studies on the effects of LED light on layers reared in alternative rearing systems [9,14]. Moreover, there is little information about the effect of LED and fluorescent lighting on production performance, egg quality, stress, and fear in hens [9,14,15]. Additionally, different light intensity levels were reported on different levels of the cage tiers, and this may affect the welfare parameters in layers [13].…”