The Effect of Intermittent Lighting Schedule on Broiler Performance

Abstract

Abstract:In an experiment with complete randomized design, the effect of intermittent lighting (1 h L: 3 h D) was studied on performance of 400 broiler chicks from 10 to 42 d of age. During of the experiment feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio were measured weekly. Mortality was measured throughout the experiment. At 42 d of age 10 chicks from each treatment were slaughtered for abdominal fat weight. There wasn't significant difference for body weight at 42 d between treatments. Use of intermittent lighting schedule improved feed conversion ratio significantly (P<0.05). Due to decrease fat deposition, intermittent lighting program reduced abdominal fat percentage (P<0.05). There wasn't significant difference between treatments for mortality. In conclusion, since physical activity is very low during darkness, and energy expenditure for activity is reduced, therefore use of intermittent lighting program enhanced production efficiency, reduced room temperature and cost of electricity.

Growth, carcass traits, immunity and oxidative status of broilers exposed to continuous or intermittent lighting programs

“…These results were supported by the data from Rahimi et al [34] who observed a significant reduction in abdominal fat in broilers exposed to intermittent light compared with continuous light.…”

“…In fact, broiler chickens do not feed or drink during a dark period [34]. Thus, for this reason, total FC in our study was reduced by about 5.47, 8.06, 11.13, 11.39 and 13.11% for T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively as compared with broiler group in T1 which exposed to continuous light for 22 hrs.…”

“…Several investigations showed that a continuous light regime is not recommended as an optimal program [37,38]. The improvement in FCR of broilers exposed to shortest photoperiod and intermittent lighting programs could be attributed to the reduction of physical activity, energy expenditure during dark periods, better digestion of feed, reduced nutrient requirements for maintenance and greater energy availability for growth as found by Rahimi et al [34]. While, birds exposed to CL are mostly active that associated with more stress, causing disturbance to their metabolism, and leading to have lower FCR.…”

Never wake a sleeping broiler : An undisturbed natural resting pattern in broilers

“…Duve et al (2011) showed that intermittent lighting of two dark periods of 4h per day resulted in an increase in weight gain compared to using one dark period of 8h daily. Similarly, Renden et al (1996) also found an increase in weight for birds reared with intermittent lighting (16L:2D:1L:2D:1L:2D), whereas Rahimi et al (2005) found no increase in body weight but an improved FCR for broilers reared with intermittent lighting (1L:3D). The previous studies of intermittent lighting differ a lot in the used lighting schemes, making it difficult to do a direct comparison, but it may be concluded that changing the lighting scheme can improve resting behaviour and may have the potential to improve the growth and/or feed conversion of broiler chickens.…”

Stress and immunity in poultry: light management and nanotechnology as effective immune enhancers to fight stress

“…In young chickens, the change from continuous light to intermittent light causes an initial decrease of growth; however, the final body weight is similar to or higher than that of birds reared in continuous light exposure (Rahimi et al 2005). The intermittent light program is effective during heat stress; it improves the body weight reduction by increasing plasma T3 level, which modulates the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein substrates and feed consumption and decreases the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines as a cause of growth inhibition (Rahimi et al 2005).…”