The use of light-emitting diodes (LED) in commercial layer production

Abstract

Artificial lighting is one of the most powerful management tools available to commercial layer producers. Artificial light allows anticipating or delaying the beginning of lay, improving egg production, and optimizing feed efficiency. This study aimed at comparing the performance of commercial layers submitted to lighting using different LED colors or conventional incandescent lamps. The study was carried out in a layer house divided in isolated environments in order to prevent any influenced from the neighboring treatments. In total, 360 Isa Brown layers, with an initial age of 56 weeks, were used. The following light sources were used: blue LED, yellow LED, green LED, red LED, white LED, and 40W incandescent light. Birds in all treatment were submitted to a 17-h continuous lighting program, and were fed a corn and soybean meal-based diet. A completely randomized experimental design with subplots was applied, with 24 treatments (six light sources and four periods) of three replicates. Egg production (%) was significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments, with the best results obtained with red LED, white LED, and incandescent light sources. Egg weight, feed intake, and internal egg quality (albumen height, specific gravity, and Haugh units) were not influenced (p>0.05) by light source. It was concluded that the replacement of incandescent light bulbs by white and red LEDs does not cause any negative effect on the egg production of commercial layers.

Effect of Led Lighting Colors for Laying Japanese Quails

“…On the other hand, Borille et al (2013) did not find any differences in the egg quality of layers exposed to different LED colors. These differences indicate the need of further studies to…”

“…Er et al (2007) found that the eggs of laying chickens exposed to red LED lamps were lighter than those reared under the incandescent lamp. On the other hand, Jácome et al (2012) and Borille et al (2013) did not find any egg weight differences among Japanese quails exposed to different light sources and colors.…”

“…These results are consistent with those obtained by Jácome et al (2012 ) and Huber-Eicher et al (2013), who did not find any differences in the performance of Japanese quails and laying chickens, respectively, exposed to different LED light colors. On the other hand, Borille et al (2013) observed that laying chickens presented better egg production when exposed to red LED, white LED, and incandescent light sources. The production and the behavior of birds can be affected by many factors related to light (photoperiod, wavelength, light intensity).…”

Spacial Illuminances Variability and Energy Consumption in Aviaries for Laying Hens Equiped With Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Light Emitting Diode

“…According to BORILLE et al (2013), the use of artificial lighting for laying hens is essential to the egg production management and it can be used to improve laying rate and to optimize the feed efficiency.…”

“…Several studies have evaluated the LED lamps use in the installations and verified that there was no damage to the production and eggs quality, and it contributes to the economy of electric power and reduction of the artificial lighting system maintenance cost (ER et al, 2007;GONGRUTTANANUN, 2011;BORILLE et al, 2013;NUNES et al, 2013).…”