Effect of different light intensities and colors on growth performance and reproductive characteristics in Japanese quails

Authors: FAWWAD AHMAD, MUHAMMAD SHARIF, MUHAMMAD ASHRAF, MUHAMMAD RIAZ, MUHAMMAD SHOAIB, TALHA SIDDIQUE, AQIAN AHMED, AHMAD HAMAD SHEIR, MUHAMMAD AHSAN YASEEN, MUHAMMAD MAHBOOB ALI HAMID

Abstract: Light is one of the most important environmental factors in quail farming, as it has a significant impact on production efficiency and reproductive characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different light intensities and colors on production performance in Japanese quails. For the first experiment, 200 Japanese quails were divided into five treatment groups, each with four replicates (10 birds in each). The birds in the control treatment were exposed to a light intensity of 20 lux, while the other four treatment groups were exposed to light intensities of 10 lux, 15 lux, 25 lux, and 30 lux. The experiment lasted for 6 weeks. Weight gain and dressing percentage were higher in birds that received 25 lux light intensity than in other groups (p < 0.05), however, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and relative organs weights were not affected by different light intensities (p > 0.05). The length of the oviduct was higher in birds that received 30 lux and it was lower (p < 0.05) in those that received 15 lux. In the second experiment, 200-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into five treatment groups, each with four replicates (10 birds in each). The treatments included a control group of compact fluorescent White light, while, other group received Red LED light (630 nanometers), White LED light (490 nanometers), Blue LED light (220 nanometers), and Green LED light (550 nanometers). The experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Body weight gain, FCR, dressing percentage, oviduct length, and the number of ovarian follicles were improved in birds that received Red LED light than other colors lights (p < 0.05). Birds that received Red LED light had higher egg weight, egg-shell thickness, yolk index, albumen, and yolk percentage than other treatments (p < 0.05). In conclusion, quails perform improved growth performance and dressing percentage when they are exposed to 20 and 25 lux light intensities, as well as red LED light.

Keywords: Light intensities, light colors, growth performance, carcass response, reproductive characters

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