Impact of light stimulation during incubation on hatching traits and post-hatch performance of commercial broilers

Chicken Incubation Conditions: Role in Embryo Development, Physiology and Adaptation to the Post-Hatch Environment

“…Continuous photo-regimen (23 or 24 of light) has been reported to elevate eggshell temperature ( Rozenboim et al, 2004 ) and a destructive effect of the regimen has also been reported on avian eyes ( Archer et al, 2009 ). Interestingly, Raiz et al (2021) reported a shorter hatch window and improved hatchability under both continuous and intermittent in contrast to dark incubation. In contrast, Archer and Mench (2014b) reported no impact of lighting duration on hatchability relative to dark incubation.…”

“…Interestingly, continuous lighting during incubation had been shown to significantly reduce post-hatch weight gain in contrast to dark incubation and non-continuous ( Yameen et al, 2020 ). Riaz et al (2021) highlighted that FCR was significantly better under intermittent photo-incubation over continuous or dark incubation. A likely interactive effect between pre-hatch and post-hatch photo-period and other lighting conditions might have confounded the results of these studies and this appears to be another promising area of research.…”

“…Non-continuous or intermittent lighting (12 h of light) seems beneficial over other photoperiods. Studies have shown a reduction in embryonic mortality ( Riaz et al, 2021 ) and an increase in melatonin hormone under intermittent lighting on day 19 of incubation ( Archer and Mench, 2014a ) compared to continuous or dark incubation. Continuous photo-regimen (23 or 24 of light) has been reported to elevate eggshell temperature ( Rozenboim et al, 2004 ) and a destructive effect of the regimen has also been reported on avian eyes ( Archer et al, 2009 ).…”

“…The effects of incubation photo-period on post-hatch growth performance reported in the literature are contradicting. Both intermittent and continuous lighting were reported to have no influence on feed intake, weight gain ( Archer and Mench, 2013 ; Riaz et al, 2021 ) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) ( Archer and Mench, 2013 ) in contrast to dark incubation. On the contrary, both continuous and intermittent duration had similarly been demonstrated to reduce post-hatch feed intake over dark incubation.…”

Light regimen on health and growth of broilers: an update review

“…Therefore, a circadian incubation lighting schedule is crucial to the leg health in broilers ( van der Pol et al, 2017 ). Providing light stimulation of 12 h per day at embryogenesis stage may help to improve hatching traits and post-hatch performance of broilers ( Riaz et al, 2021 ). In the post-hatch period, broilers reared under a 16 L: 8 D photoperiod had improved welfare due to more uninterrupted resting behavior during the dark phase ( Alvino et al, 2009 ).…”