Effect of Photoperiod Considering Animal Welfare for Growth Ability and Blood Properties in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of three different photoperiods on growth performance, blood properties, and stress indicators in broiler chicks between 1-7 days after hatching. Two hundred and fifty-two 1-day-old male broiler chicks (57.0±0.12 g) were divided into three treatments, with 4 replicates per treatment and 22 birds per replicate subjected to three different photoperiods of 24L, 22L/2D and 18L/6D. A light-emitting diode bulb served as the light source, with an illuminance of 30 lx. As an experimental diet, a commercial feed based on a corn-soybean meal, with 22% CP and 3,150 kcal/kg ME diet, and water were fed ad libitum. Body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and liver weight ratio showed a statistically significant difference between the 18L/6D and 24L treatments (P<0.05), but with no significant difference between the 22L/2D treatment and either the 24L or 18L/6D treatment. The breast meat ratio was 5.59% in the 18L/6D treatment group, which was lower than that of other treatment groups (P<0.05). The triglyceride levels were highest (P<0.05) in the 18L/6D treatment among treatments, but alanine aminotransferase levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the 22L/2D treatment than in the 24L treatment. Levels of cytokines, i.e., Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α did not show a significant difference among the treatments, but corticosterone content was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the 24L treatment than in the 18L/6D treatment. In conclusion, 22 hours of lighting is appropriate between 1~7 days after hatching, considering growth performance and the overall health of broiler chicks.