Effect of light intensity on broiler production, processing characteristics, and welfare

Abstract

Manipulation of light intensity is an important management tool affecting broiler production and well being. Despite considerable research on light intensity, there is still a debate on the optimum level to be used for intensively housed broilers. Two trials were conducted with the objective of investigating the effect of light intensity, within the practical levels at confinement barns (1, 10, 20, and 40 lx), on production, processing characteristics, and welfare of broilers raised to 35 d of age. Each light intensity treatment was replicated in 2 environmentally controlled rooms in each trial with 950 Ross × Ross 308 chicks per room. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with trial serving as a block. All chicks were exposed to 40 lx of light intensity and 23 h of light for the first 7 d followed by treatment light intensity and 17 h of day length thereafter. Body weight and feed consumption were determined at 7, 14, and 35 d of age. At the end of each trial, 60 birds per treatment were processed to determine the detailed meat yield. Skeletal and footpad and ocular health were monitored at 31 and 32 d of age, respectively. Body weight, feed consumption, feed:gain ratio, and mortality were unaffected by light intensity. Carcass, thigh, and drum yield as a percentage of live weight decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. The 1 lx treatment resulted in heavier wings as a percentage of live weight. Light intensity had no effect on skeletal health, but ulcerative footpad lesions decreased linearly with increasing light intensity. Birds exposed to the 1 lx treatment had heavier and larger eyes. In conclusion, light intensity did not affect broiler production and mortality but did affect carcass characteristics. The 1 lx light intensity treatment had a negative effect on broiler welfare as demonstrated by increased ulcerative footpad lesions and eye size.

Assessment of lighting needs by W-36 laying hens via preference test

“…A few studies have shown that low intensity light, as compared to bright light, can reduce cannibalism and feather pecking and has been used in commercial operations (Kjaer and Vestergaard, 1999). At the same time, some studies showed that birds reared in low light intensity at 0.5 or 1 lux resulted in heavier and larger eyes (Deep et al, 2010). Blatchford et al (2009) reported that broilers had heavier and lager eyes at 5 lux, whereas Olanrewaju et al (2012) and Deep et al (2013) found no difference in eye size under 5 lux as compared to birds under higher light intensities.…”

“…layers v. broilers). Light intensity can affect BW of broilers (Deep et al, 2010), egg size and mortality of layers (Lewis and Morris, 1999). The recommended light intensity for commercial hen houses is 20 to 30 lux during laying period (Hy-Line, 2015).…”

“…However, improper low light intensity (e.g. 1.1 lux) could cause issues for broilers such as adrenal overweight (Siopes et al, 1984), body underweight (Hester et al, 1987), leg problems (Hester et al, 1985;Deep et al, 2010), and partial or complete blindness due to eye morphology change (Blatchford et al, 2009;Deep et al, 2010).…”

Etlik piliçlerde Fotoperiyot Uzunluğu ve Işık Şiddetinin Performans, Karkas Özellikleri ve Heterofil/Lenfosit Oranı Üzerine Etkileri

“…Processed fillet weights were reported to be higher in 1.08 lux light intensity (dim light) than those kept in 161.4 lux light intensity (bright light) [13] . Deep et al [1] observed that carcass, thighs and drums yields decreased linearly with increasing light intensity from 1 to 40 lx in broiler chickens.…”

“…Growth rate and welfare of the broiler is influenced to a great degree by at least three components of light: photoperiod, intensity and color or wavelength of the light [1][2][3] . Broiler chickens have usually been reared under continuous Effects of Photoperiod Length ...…”