Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens
Artificial commercial lighting used in animal production facilities can have negative influences on visual abilities, behaviour and welfare of domestic fowl. This study examined the effects of natural-derived light spectrums on behaviour, production and welfare of laying hens reared from hatching in...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-03-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/4/924 |
| _version_ | 1827696823072980992 |
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| author | Anette Wichman Rosan De Groot Olle Håstad Helena Wall Diana Rubene |
| author_facet | Anette Wichman Rosan De Groot Olle Håstad Helena Wall Diana Rubene |
| author_sort | Anette Wichman |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Artificial commercial lighting used in animal production facilities can have negative influences on visual abilities, behaviour and welfare of domestic fowl. This study examined the effects of natural-derived light spectrums on behaviour, production and welfare of laying hens reared from hatching into adulthood. Comparisons were made of frequency of a range of behaviours associated with activity, aggression and comfort in birds kept in control light (commercial standard), daylight (full spectrum, including ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and forest light (forest understorey, including UV). In addition, bird preferences for different lights, feather damage and egg production were monitored. The results showed that the behavioural repertoire of birds changed with age, while the effects of light treatment were subtle. Some evidence was found that birds preferred either daylight or forest light to control light, suggesting that inclusion of UV contributed to the preference. Daylight and forest light were associated with more active behaviours, and daylight with better plumage and later start of lay. Thus natural-like light may have beneficial effects on domestic fowl, but the differences between broad-spectrum light sources are rather small. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:55:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0b881ae2fba24ae497fa0a0d9d7f6d60 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:55:45Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-0b881ae2fba24ae497fa0a0d9d7f6d602023-11-21T11:52:57ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-03-0111492410.3390/ani11040924Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying HensAnette Wichman0Rosan De Groot1Olle Håstad2Helena Wall3Diana Rubene4Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Animal Nutrition and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, SwedenDepartment of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 750 07 Uppsala, SwedenArtificial commercial lighting used in animal production facilities can have negative influences on visual abilities, behaviour and welfare of domestic fowl. This study examined the effects of natural-derived light spectrums on behaviour, production and welfare of laying hens reared from hatching into adulthood. Comparisons were made of frequency of a range of behaviours associated with activity, aggression and comfort in birds kept in control light (commercial standard), daylight (full spectrum, including ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths and forest light (forest understorey, including UV). In addition, bird preferences for different lights, feather damage and egg production were monitored. The results showed that the behavioural repertoire of birds changed with age, while the effects of light treatment were subtle. Some evidence was found that birds preferred either daylight or forest light to control light, suggesting that inclusion of UV contributed to the preference. Daylight and forest light were associated with more active behaviours, and daylight with better plumage and later start of lay. Thus natural-like light may have beneficial effects on domestic fowl, but the differences between broad-spectrum light sources are rather small.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/4/924poultrylightbehaviorwelfare<i>Gallus gallus</i> |
| spellingShingle | Anette Wichman Rosan De Groot Olle Håstad Helena Wall Diana Rubene Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens Animals poultry light behavior welfare <i>Gallus gallus</i> |
| title | Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens |
| title_full | Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens |
| title_fullStr | Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens |
| title_short | Influence of Different Light Spectrums on Behaviour and Welfare in Laying Hens |
| title_sort | influence of different light spectrums on behaviour and welfare in laying hens |
| topic | poultry light behavior welfare <i>Gallus gallus</i> |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/4/924 |
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