The effects of LED lights in different colors on fattening performance, litter characteristics, meat properties, and some welfare parameters in broilers

Abstract

Light is important for broiler rearing which can affect economically significant performance traits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daylight, warm white and blue LED light on broiler fattening performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, litter characteristics and welfare. 216 male chicks were used. Chicks were weighed and housed randomly in 3 light-controlled rooms (n=72), each containing 9 separate pens (8 chicks per pen). During the experiment body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and feed-to-gain ratio were calculated weekly. Carcass yield and percentages of internal organs were determined. Tonic immobility duration, footpad, and breast burns of broilers, pH, and moisture of litter, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity of the breast meat were analyzed. At the end of six weeks of the experiment, the body weight (P