Impact of led lighting color on productive and behavioral characteristics of the broiler chickens

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of color (white and blue-green) of LED lighting on the productive, carcass and behavior traits of Cobb broiler chickens. Total of 200 one- day-old unsexed chicks were used, and divided into two pens/groups (100 birds of each with 25 birds of each replicate), at stocking density of 8.7 bird/ square meters. First pen used for LED white color and second pen for LED blue- green mix color light. The results showed that the birds exposed to blue-green light had significant higher (P≤0.01) BW, DBWG and FC values of the whole experimental period compared to those exposed to white color. However, the light color had no significant effect on FCR and MR measurements with average values 1.44 and 0.50%, respectively. The birds exposed to blue-green light had significant higher pre-slaughter live BW and carcass weights (P≤0.01) compared to those exposed to white color. The birds exposed to blue-green light had higher insignificant dressing percentage compared to those exposed to white color. The weekly behavior results showed highly significant differences (P≤0.01) among weeks for aggressiveness and immobility activities, while it being insignificant for pecking activity. The correlation value between immobility and five-week BW of birds reared under blue-green light was the only significant value (0.42) among all studied values. In conclusion, the results indicated that Cobb broilers were calmer under blue-green light compared to those reared under white light, which contributed in more better performance traits.