Effect of Combinations of Monochromatic LED Light Color on the Performance and Behavior of Laying Hens

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of monochromatic and combinations of light emitting diode light color on the performance and behavior of laying hens. At 12 weeks of age, 600 Hy-line Brown pullets were randomly divided into eight lighting treatments with three replicates of 25 birds in each room. The lightning was set-up as follows; white (W, control; 16 h/d), red (R; 618-635 nm; 16 h/d), green (G; 515-535 nm; 16 h/d), blue (B; 455-470 nm; 16 h/d), red→ green (R→G; 14 h→2 h/d), red→ blue (R→B; 14 h→2 h/d), red→ green→ blue (R→G→B; 12 h→2 h→2 h/d) and red→ blue→ green (R→B→G; 12 h→2 h→2 h/d) light treatments. The light colors significantly influenced egg production, which was higher for the combination R→G (89.56%) and monochromatic R (87.34%) and lower in the G (85.26%) and B (83.75%) light treatments. Conversely, egg weight was remarkably heavier in the B and G light treatments than those of monochromatic R and combination treatments. Concurrently, better feed conversion ratio was found for the combination R→G→B and R→G and the monochromatic R light treatment. Egg shells were significantly pigmented by the combinations of R→B→G and R→G→B. Furthermore, egg shell breaking strength increased following the G treatment. Higher frequencies of ground pecking, ground scratching, and tail wagging were observed in the R group and these behaviors were less frequent in the B groups. Birds under G and B lights spent a longer time perching. These results suggest that a combination of R→G and monochromatic R light enhanced egg production. In contrast, R light activated the bird's movement, whereas B light decreased movement, and birds spent a longer time perching.

Evaluation of the Impact of Light Source on Reproductive Parameters in Laying Hens Housed in Individual Cages

“…Furthermore, broiler birds reach market weight by 6 woa and are thus considered juvenile. Nonetheless, Hassan et al (2014) also found that laying hens under red light had better feed conversion, which is in line with the results in our trial, as birds under LED-R produced the same number of eggs while consuming less feed. When comparing feed conversion in layers, it is important to consider environmental housing, as energy expenditure directly relates to the level of activity or thermoregulation.…”

Sustainability in the Canadian Egg Industry—Learning from the Past, Navigating the Present, Planning for the Future

“…Lighting systems for livestock production, in particular for poultry, are influential for animal health and productivity [66,67]. Diverse lighting systems have been used in the poultry industry.…”

Mating Behaviour and Fertility of Layer Breeders in Natural Mating Colony Cages: LED Light Environmental Effects

“…Most researchers have focused on the effects of monochromatic LED light colour on the behaviour of hens. Hassan et al (2014) mentioned that higher frequencies of ground pecking, ground scratching, and tail wagging were observed in the red light and these behaviours were less frequent in the blue light [9]. Huber-Eicher et al (2013) indicated that hens under green light spent more time on pecking at objects and had more frequent pecking at conspeci cs compared with red and white light.…”