Layer pullet preferences for light colors of light-emitting diodes

Abstract

Light colors may affect poultry behaviors, well-being and performance. However, preferences of layer pullets for light colors are not fully understood. This study was conducted to investigate the pullet preferences for four light-emitting diode colors, including white, red, green and blue, in a lighting preference test system. The system contained four identical compartments each provided with a respective light color. The pullets were able to move freely between the adjacent compartments. A total of three groups of 20 Chinese domestic Jingfen layer pullets (54 to 82 days of age) were used for the test. Pullet behaviors were continuously recorded and summarized for each light color/compartment into daily time spent (DTS), daily percentage of time spent (DPTS), daily times of visit (DTV), duration per visit, daily feed intake (DFI), daily feeding time (DFT), feeding rate (FR), distribution of pullet occupancy and hourly time spent. The results showed that the DTS (h/pullet·per day) were 3.9±0.4 under white, 1.4±0.3 under red, 2.2±0.3 under green and 4.5±0.4 under blue light, respectively. The DTS corresponded to 11.7% to 37.6% DPTS in 12-h lighting periods. The DTV (times/pullet·per day) were 84±5 under white, 48±10 under red, 88±10 under green and 94±8 under blue light. Each visit lasted 1.5 to 3.2 min. The DFI (g/pullet·per day) were 27.6±1.7 under white, 7.1±1.6 under red, 15.1±1.1 under green and 23.1±2.0 under blue light. The DFT was 0.18 to 0.65 h/pullet·per day and the FR was 0.57 to 0.75 g/min. For most of the time during the lighting periods, six to 10 birds stayed under white, and one to five birds stayed under red, green and blue light. Pullets preferred to stay under blue light when the light was on and under white light 4 h before the light off. Overall, pullets preferred blue light the most and red light the least. These findings substantiate the preferences of layer pullets for light colors, providing insights for use in the management of light-emitting diode colors to meet pullet needs.

Why Do Hens Pile? Hypothesizing the Causes and Consequences

“…There are also initial reports of piles being initiated by attraction to shards of light within a shed ( 3 , 4 ). On a similar theme, some studies have found laying hens to have preferences for different light sources ( 15 – 17 ), light colors ( 18 ) and light intensities ( 19 ), with chickens spending more time in areas with their preferred light sources.…”

Effects of a two-phase mixed color lighting program using light-emitting diode lights on layer chickens during brooding and rearing periods

“…Light not only provides illumination for the poultry but also influences their physiological responses, behavior, growth and development, and production performance ( Lewis and Morris, 1998 ; Olanrewaju et al., 2006 ; Parvin et al., 2014 ; Borille et al., 2015 ). Currently, owing to the high energy efficiency, long working life, availability in different peak wavelengths, low electricity consumption, and low rearing cost ( Hassan et al., 2013 , 2014 ; Huber-Eicher et al., 2013 ; Sultana et al., 2013a , b ; Liu et al., 2017 ), light-emitting diodes ( LED ) are gradually becoming a substitute for conventional incandescent and fluorescent lights for lighting in poultry houses ( Yang et al., 2016 ; Li et al., 2018 ).…”

Effect ofImbrasia belinameal on growth performance, quality characteristics and sensory attributes of broiler chicken meat

“…We infer that the broilers could have been sensitive to the appearance of the feed, hence the reduction in feed intake corresponding to increase of I. belina dietary inclusion levels. The reduction of feed intake due to feed appearance has been reported in similar studies (Tabeekh 2015;Radulovi c et al 2018;Li et al 2019). Also, birds using their taste can detect excessive dietary mineral and vitamins, hence resulting in refusal to consume the feed (Ferket and Gernat 2006).…”