Interrelationships Among Lighting, Ambient Temperature, and Dietary Energy and Broiler Chicken Performance

Abstract

A total of 4,800 broiler chickens of one commercial genotype were used to study the interrelated effects of two lighting treatments (green fluorescent vs. incandescent), three weekly rates of ambient temperature decline (4.5, 3.5, 2.0 C), and starter/finisher diets with four levels of dietary energy (3,100/3,300; 3,000/3,200; 2,900/3,100; and 2,800/3,000 kcal/kg metabolizable energy). Lighting and ambient temperature treatments had no significant (P greater than .05) effects on percentage mortality, feed conversion ratio, body weight, and monetary return. The highest dietary energy regimens resulted in the heaviest body weights, best feed conversion ratios, and the highest monetary returns. A lighting treatment x diet interaction occurred for female mortality to 42 days but was considered of minor importance. A lighting treatment x diet interaction for feed conversion provided evidence that low temperatures had a more pronounced depressing effect on broiler chickens fed low energy diets. A second order interaction for 42-day male body weights provides evidence that male broiler chickens may be less sensitive to lower ambient temperatures if fed higher energy diets under incandescent lighting compared with those fed lower energy diets under green fluorescent light.

Effect of Dietary Energy Level on Performance and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chicks

“…These results are agreement with those reported by Sadagopan et al, (1971);Salmon et al, (1983) and El-Tazi (2001). The result coincided with the finding of Proudfoot and Hulan (1987) who mentioned that the highest dietary energy (3100 Kcal/kg) gave the highest growth rate, the highest profit and the most efficient feed conversion as compared to the lowest energy diet (2900 Kcal/kg). Similar results have been obtained by Bertechini et al, (1991) who stated that, there was a linear increase in weight gain and a decrease in feed intake as the energy intake was increased.…”

Effect of intermittent lighting, light intensity and source on the performance and welfare of broilers

“…Moreover, it is suspected that this stroboscopic effect is inconvenient for birds and, although not necessarily adversely affecting performance, may deleteriously affect their welfare. Indeed, Hulan and Proudfoot (1987) found no differences in body weight, feed conversion or mortality between roaster chickens reared under a 2L:4D lighting schedule, with light provided by white incandescent or pink (640-650 nm) fluorescent light. This was also the case when incandescent light was compared with green (540-560 nm) fluorescent light (Proudfoot and H u h , 1987).…”