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Abstract
The possibility for use of high light intensity in broiler production management to improve the health of broilers? legs was examined in a study aiming to determine the effect of two levels of light intensity in different stocking densities of broiler chickens. The study was carried out on 1200 Ross 308 broilers according to a random block system with 6 treatments (2 x 3 factorial design) and 4 replicates per treatment. The examined light intensity levels of 150 lx (high light intensity-HLI) and 20 lx (low light intensity-LLI) were applied to 3 stocking densities of broilers: 10, 13 and 15 birds/m2. Scoring of foot pad (FP) and hock burns (HB) was carried out on the 42nd day, on a sample of 240 broilers. Osteometric and biomechanical measurements on tibia were performed after slaughtering and primary processing, on a sample of 72 broilers. The high level intensity of light exerted no significant effect on the development and firmness of the tibia of broilers grown in the densities of 10, 13 and 15 birds/m2. There are indications that in the highest studied stocking density the increased light intensity can improve the individual properties of tibia. The differences in the average assessment of hock burns were concluded to be the result of the stocking density that was observed only in conditions of the increased intensity of light. The average score of foot pad lesions was under the significant main effect of both investigated factors. The differences in the average FP estimation between the light intensity treatments were confirmed in the stocking density of 13 birds/m2.
Highlights
The recommended conditions regarding the light intensity in broiler production lead to the fact that broilers often spend time in the half-dark, without clearly differentiated periods of light and darkness
The measured weight of tibia of broilers grown in densities of 10 and 13 birds/m2 was lower in HLI compared to lx (HLI) i lx (LLI)
Broilers reared in a density of 15 birds/m2 had slightly heavier tibia under conditions of higher intensity compared to lower intensity of light
Summary
The recommended conditions regarding the light intensity in broiler production lead to the fact that broilers often spend time in the half-dark, without clearly differentiated periods of light and darkness Such conditions may influence the establishment of circadian rhythms responsible for the processes of bone mineralization, physical activity of broilers, and eventually, health of the legs. In the later study by Blatcherford et al (2012) they have confirmed the effect of light intensity on the health of broilers in terms of less incidence of lameness in higher intensity of light In this regard, it is possible to note certain potential of using increased light intensity in the management of broiler production to improve the health and welfare of broilers, with the necessity of more precise determination of optimal levels in accordance with technological conditions and genotype
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