Impact of different light colors in behavior, welfare parameters and growth performance of Fayoumi broiler chickens strain

Abstract

Research article Ερευνητικό άρθροJ HELLENIC , 69(2): 951-958 ΠΕΚΕ 2018 ABSTRACT. Light is considered one of the most managerial factors affecting poultry well-being. Therefore, the current study was conducted to investigate the effects of different light colors in behaviour, welfare and growth performance of Fayoumi chickens.A total of 300 one-day old chicks of Fayoumi broiler breed were weighed and randomly divided into 4 environmentally controlled chambers with different artificial light color (yellow, red, green and blue) until the end of the experimental period (12 weeks); each was divided into five replicate brooders (15 birds for each replicate). A scanning technique was used to report the chicken's behaviors. Moreover, the plumage condition, foot and toe hyperkeratosis, foot and toe lesions (foot pad dermatitis) and growth performance were evaluated. Light colors had significant (P < 0.05) effects of the impose of different light colors in all kinds of behaviour of Fayoumi chickens. It was found that eating frequency was the highest in blue light. Preening, dust bathing and drinking frequencies were the highest in green light. Birds reared in red light were more active, as expressed by greater walking, flying, head movement, litter scratching, body shaking, wing flapping, wing/leg stretching, feather pecking and aggression. While, birds in blue light were calmest, evidenced by more intense sleeping, sitting and idling behaviors. In spite of the fact that the light colors had no significant effect on plumage condition, health status of the foot and toe and growth performance, those parameters were better in birds kept in blue light than other light colors. We conclude that the blue light colour may improve the birds' welfare.

The Effects of Different Monochromatic Colors on Oxidant Antioxidant Balance in Broilers

“…32 Several studies suggested that monochromatic colors, green and blue have positive effect on growth and welfare against to stress especially in poultry management. 7,10 In the present study, the antioxidant enzymes values were increased in groups GL and BL compared to group Control statistically (p<0.05). Animals reared under green light (group GL) had the highest SOD (150.61±9.14), CAT (4.18±0.17) and GPx (186.96±10.50) values compared to group Control and BL (Fig 1b -1c-1d; p<0.05).…”

“…5 Many mechanisms are influenced by colors of light, especially growth performance, reproductivity, egg production and quality. 6,7 Color is an important aspect of light due to its effect on several physiological mechanism and behavior in poultry. The artificial colors used for poultry management are named white, red, green and blue.…”

“…Red light gives animal more activity such as walking, flapping, aggression and cannibalism. 7,8 Green and blue lights are called tranquilizer colors, and stimulate drinking, bathing, sleeping, sitting which have positive impact on animal growth, reproductivity and immunity. 7,9,10 It was reported that both green and blue lights reduce negative effects of stress and maintains the immunity.…”

“…7,8 Green and blue lights are called tranquilizer colors, and stimulate drinking, bathing, sleeping, sitting which have positive impact on animal growth, reproductivity and immunity. 7,9,10 It was reported that both green and blue lights reduce negative effects of stress and maintains the immunity. 11 Also, increase of the antioxidant enzyme activities by blue light in poultry was determined by some researchers.…”

Animal Growth Stimulation by Enzymatic Protein Hydrolysate of Chicken Residues

“…Astuti et al (2015) observed that body weights were increased under blue light treatment without adversely affecting stress indicators. Similarly, Fayoumi chickens maintained under blue light feel better welfare than exposed to yellow, red, green lights (Hesham et al, 2018). Green monochromatic LED resulted in higher body weight marketed up to 7 or 5 week of age male or female respectively (Guevara et al, 2015).…”