Domestic turkeys are not averse to compact fluorescent lighting

Abstract

Using fluorescent lighting in the rearing of turkeys offers advantages. However, it has been suggested that the inherent flicker of these types of lamps is aversive to the birds. To determine this, the preferences of 30 male BUT 8 turkeys for 10 lx incandescent or compact fluorescent lighting was determined on six occasions when the birds were between 8–18 weeks of age. The turkeys showed no indication of aversion to the fluorescent light, rather, they chose this significantly more frequently spending 58.9 vs. 23.4% of the total time available under fluorescent and incandescent light respectively. This preference was stronger for birds reared under incandescent lighting. It is suggested that the preference for fluorescent lighting may be related to the spectral emissivity of fluorescent light, which more closely approximates the emissivity of both daylight and the spectral sensitivity of a related gallinaceous species, the chicken, than does incandescent light. Possibly, the turkeys' preference may have been due to their interpreting compact fluorescent light as similar to daylight, or at least more similar than the illuminance provided by incandescent lamps. Alternatively, the turkeys may have perceived the fluorescent lamps as brighter than incandescent and might therefore have been demonstrating a preference for higher intensity light rather than light source. It is concluded that if turkeys perceive the flicker of compact fluorescent lights, they do not find this aversive. Notwithstanding other welfare and production considerations, compact fluorescent light can be used in the rearing of turkeys.