Intermittent lighting regime as a tool to enhance egg production and eggshell thickness in Rhode Island Red laying hens

Abstract

Influences of intermittent light regime as a tool to enhance egg production, egg quality, and blood parameters of laying hens were investigated. A total of 270 hens of Rhode Island Red (during 20 to 36 wk of age) were used to investigate the effects of intermittent light regime in completely randomized design. The birds were divided into 3 equal groups (6 replicates of 15 birds each) and housed in floor pens. The first group was served as non-treated control (C) and was exposed to continuous and constant light for 16h light/day throughout the experimental period. Whereas, birds of the other groups were exposed to intermittent lights for 20min/h + 40min of constant light (T1; FLASH20) and 40min/h + 20min of constant light (T2; FLASH40) during the 16h of light period. Hens of T1 group showed significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the highest concentration of total antioxidant capacity and the lowest one of malondialdehyde in comparison with the other groups. Hens of T1 group had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) the greatest egg laying rate and egg mass in comparison with the other counterparts. Feed consumption was similar in the groups under study. Hens exposed to FLASH20 had the lowest (P ≤ 0.05) FCR when compared with the other treatments. Eggs produced from hens exposed to FLASH20 had the highest value of shell thickness followed by the control and then that of those exposed to FLASH40. There were insignificant differences among the treatments in body weight of hens and all of other egg quality and egg problem traits. In conclusion, intermittent light regime of 20min/h was the most efficient in comparison with the other ones. Finally, intermittent light regime of 20min/h during laying period (during 20 to 36 wk of age) is highly recommended.