Effect of Artificial Lighting Duration on Egg Production and Egg Quality of Local Chickens

Abstract

Low egg production and long ovulation interval among chickens are the problems faced by farmers. Thus, an appropriate technology for increasing egg production is necessary. This study aims to analyze the effect of artificial light duration on egg production and egg quality of local chickens. This experiment, which has a completely randomized design, was conducted in the city of Palu, between December 2017 and September 2018. The hens were divided into G0 (control; 12 h lighting), G1 (13 h lighting), G2 (14 h lighting), and G3 (16 h lighting). Research variables were follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration, egg production, clutch, and egg quality. Egg production was significantly influenced by the addition of light but not the quality of local-chicken eggs (egg weight, egg yolk index, egg white index, air sack diameter, yolk color, and shell thickness). Nonetheless, artificial light in G2 (12 h natural day light + 2 h artificial light) significantly influenced the increase of both FSH and LH concentrations at approximately 235.57 pg/ml (range, 162.15–397.72 pg/ml) and 1,021.98 pg/ml (range, 2,521.08–3,543.06 pg/ml), respectively. Chickens raised under a 14-hour artificial light achieved an increase in egg production without affecting egg quality. Keywords : Artificial light, Egg Production, Quality of Egg, Local-chicken DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/12-8-03 Publication date : April 30th 2022