Growth responses of broiler chickens to different periods of artificial light1

Abstract

This study aimed to establish response curves between broiler chicken growth parameters and artificial light periods, as opposed to optimizing a lighting regimen for broiler production. Medium-growing broiler chickens were illuminated for periods of 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, or 24 h each day. The BW of the broilers were significantly influenced by light periods ( < 0.05). Moreover, BW responded to light periods in a linear fashion, suggesting that long light periods result in greater BW. In addition, a linear relationship was found between feed intake and light periods. However, the relationship between shank length and light period was quadratic. When the light period was too short (12 h) or too long (24 h), the light stimulus did not enhance shank growth in the broiler chickens ( < 0.05). In addition, a quadratic relationship between the quantity of abdominal adipose tissue and light period suggested that the quantity of abdominal adipose decreases when the period of the light stimulus was too short or too long ( < 0.05). Moreover, a broken-stick analysis suggested that the triiodothyronine (T3) concentration in the blood was minimally affected beyond 18 h ( = 0.267), although a quadratic relationship was found between the period (from 18 to 24 h) and T3 concentrations in the blood. The response curves established in the present study will be valuable for designing future lighting regimes for medium-growing broiler strains.

Peran Cahaya bagi Kehidupan Unggas: Respons Pertumbuhan dan Reproduksi

“…Penggunaan cahaya yang berkelanjutan dapat menghasilkan peningkatan bobot badan. Sebaliknya, paparan cahaya dalam waktu singkat dapat memperlambat pertumbuhan broiler (Ingram et al, 2000;Yang et al, 2015). Hassan et al (2013) juga melaporkan cahaya dengan panjang gelombang panjang lebih mudah berpenetrasi pada jaringan kulit dan tulang tengkorak aves sehingga dapat menstimulasi kelenjar pituitari untuk mensekresikan hormon-hormon yang mengontrol reproduksi.…”

Bright artificial light at night is associated with increased body mass, poor reproductive success and compromised disease tolerance in Australian budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus)

“…The physiological effects of ALAN have also been demonstrated in several poultry species. Continuous exposure to light has been demonstrated to affect growth in broiler chickens (Yang et al 2015), egg production in domestic hens (Gallus domesticus) and endocrine functions in turkey hens (reviewed by Navara & Nelson 2007). In contrast, other studies have found that constant light exposure has no or marginal effects on growth and reproduction functions in domesticated birds (Leighton et al 1989;Beaupré et al 1997).…”

The relationship of spectral sensitivity with growth and reproductive response in avian breeders (Gallus gallus)

“…The major benefit of LED lamps is the single peak of light wavelength, which is characterized by a narrow half band output. Moreover, our previous study indicates that the LED light spectra can affect the photoperiodic response of birds 13 14 15 . Other investigations have demonstrated that the spectrum of light can affect growth (broilers) 16 , carcass characteristics (broilers) 17 , welfare (broilers) 18 , and behaviour (laying hens) 19 .…”

“…Moreover, poultry scientists have documented that exposing birds to long days can stimulate reproduction outside the natural breeding period 7 . Furthermore, although the effects of constant light have begun to be elucidated 5 15 , knowledge about the growth and reproductive consequences of the light spectral composition is still limited. Nowadays, the spectra of light in urban areas is very diverse, resulting in a mosaic-like spatial distribution of different wavelengths of artificial light systems 8 .…”