II. Evaluation of the impact of alternative light technology on male broiler chicken stress

• DOI: 10.3382/ps/peu046
• Publication Date: 2015-02-26T16:23:01Z
• Authors: Allison G. Rogers; Elizabeth M. Prit...; Robert L. Alphin; Erin M. Brannick; Eric R. Benson
• Keywords: Incandescent light bulb; LED lamp; Poultry farming

This study evaluates the impact of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), and incandescent on broiler welfare in response to recent interest agriculture industry transition more energy-efficient lighting technologies. Male Ross 708 broilers (n = 672) were raised 6 wk age 8 light-tight modified large colony houses under identical intermittent conditions using 4 unique types lamps, which gradually dimmed throughout study. Incandescent served as control; experimental technologies tested a CCFL, 2 different LED lamps. Each technology was duplicate for each trials (8 replications total per technology) conducted across course one year account seasonal variance. Birds removed from house at days 7, 14, 35, 42 be humanely euthanized weighed necropsy evaluation comparison body mass. Blood collection via cardiac puncture performed obtain heterophil lymphocyte (H:L) ratios environmental stress. CCFLs had significantly lower weights (2,871 g ± 53) than control (3,000 33 g) by d. additionally higher H:L (0.68 0.06) (0.53 0.03), indicating that these birds may have been chronically stressed (P 0.03). There not significant differences ratio between α 0.05. A correlation observed all technologies, along with among indicates variation weight stress attributed part implemented houses.