Performance and Preference of Broiler Chickens under Different Light Sources

摘要

The present study evaluated the preference and the production performance of broiler chickens exposed to different lighting sources. The first portion of this study evaluated bird preference to white and yellow lighting provided by Light-Emitting Diodes (LED). Bird preference was assessed through images recorded during the experiment. The second portion of this study evaluated the performance of broiler chickens under the exposure of Light -Emitting Diodes and Compact Fluorescent bulbs. Performance was assessed in terms of mortality rate, bird weight, weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion.The chickens occupied both environments with yellow and white LEDs evenly and did not show any behavioral sign of preference to one of the environments. However, the birds presented a higher feed consumption when exposed to white LEDs at 21, 28 and 35 days of age. Generally, birds exposed to LED illumination presented better production performance than birds under the Compact Fluorescent lighting. Seven-day-old male chickens presented better feed conversions under the LED illumination than males of thesame age under the Compact Fluorescent illumination.