The Effects of Different Intermittent Lighting Schedules Used in Different Diurnal Periods on Performances of Broilers

Authors: KAAN M. İŞCAN

Abstract: In this study, the effects of different lighting schedules on the performance and electricity use of broilers were compared. The study was undertaken in controlled chambers and a total of 1900 broilers were divided into 10 groups consisting of 190 broilers (12.85 chicks/m^2). Each group was housed in the pens of 3.65X4.05 m (14.78 m^2). In each pen the lighting density of 3 lux was supplied using a 40 watts of lamp. Broilers subjected to different daylight (9, 11, 15 hours) and an intermittent lighting (IL) regime consisting of 1 hr of light (L): 1hr of darkness (D), 1L:2D, 1L:3D and 23L:1D (control group) were compared from 0 to 42 days. All groups reared from 1 to 10 days with same lighting schedule as control group. Birds were provided ad libitum access to feed and water. Starter ration (23% CP and 3000 kcal ME/kg of feed), grower ration (20% CP and 3100kcal ME/kg of feed), and finisher ration (18.5 CP and 3150 kcal ME/kg of feed) were provided from 0 to 14, from 15 to 35, from 36-42 days of age respectively. The values of live weight, feed efficiency and mortality were determined on 10., 21. and 42. days of age in all groups. The mean live weights of all groups on 10^{th} days of age were 191.03±0.74 g and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups. Statistically significant differences (P<0.001) were found in the live weights on days of 21 and 42 among the groups after 10 days of experiment. There were no differences in the mortality of all groups among the three measurements. The feed efficiency on the day 42 for the groups of 1 to 10 were 1.87, 1.83, 1.78, 1.74, 1.89, 1.89, 1.77, 1.87, 1.81 and 1.87 respectively. The use of electricity of all groups, 1 to 10, during the experiment were determined as 26.88, 23.52, 20.16, 30.24, 26.88, 25.2, 31.92, 30.24, 25.2 and 38.64 kw (kilowatt) respectively. On 21^{st} day of experiment the group of 6 receiving 1L:3D IL in addition to 11 hours daylight had the highest performance with the live weight of 938.75±6.63 g. Regarding the live weight, mortality, feed efficiency and electricity use at the and of the experiment, it was concluded that the best performances were obtained with the intermittent lighting programmes of 1L:3D in winter with daylight of 9 hours; 1L:1D in spring end summer with daylights of 11 and 15 hours. The continuous lighting program (23L:1D, control group) did not provide better application options compare to other groups.

Keywords: Broiler, lighting program, performance, electricity use

Full Text: PDF