Abstract
Most governments around the world including the USA have passed measures to phase out incandescent light in favor of energy-efficient lighting alternatives. The research is limited on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights (> 3 kg) under these new light sources to ensure welfare of broilers. We investigated the effects of light sources and intensity on blood physiological variables of broilers grown to heavy weights. In each trial with 2 replicates of 4 trials, 1-d-old 960 Ross × Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 16 rooms (30 male and 30 female chicks/room). A 4 × 2 factorial treatment structure was evaluated that consisted of 4 light sources [incandescent (ICD, standard), compact fluorescent (CFL), light emitting diode (LED), poultry specific filtered LED (PSF-LED)] from d 0 to d 56 and 2 levels of light intensities (5 lx, 20 lx) from d 22 to d 56 at 50 % RH. Each of the 4 light source treatments was paired with one of the two light intensity. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Venous blood samples were collected on d 21, 28, 42, and d 56 and analyzed immediately. Light sources, age, and sex had significant (P < 0.05) effects on BW, Hb, Hct, electrolytes, angap, and mOsm. However, all these changes were still within the normal acid-base homeostasis and physiological ranges. There was no main effect of light intensity on any examined variables. There were interactions of light sources and intensity in some of the examined variables. Plasma corticosterone was not affected by treatments. It was concluded that the 3 light sources evaluated in this study are suitable for replacement of ICD light source in commercial poultry facilities to reduce energy cost and optimize production efficiency without compromising welfare of broilers.
Published Version
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