| Summary: | The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of photoperiod length and light intensity on performance, carcass characteristics and
heterophil to lymphocyte ratio in broilers. A total of 272 1 day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to four treatment
groups based on the photoperiod length (23L:1D or increasing duration of light) and light intensity (20 lux vs. a dim, reducing intensity) with
four replicates. At 42 d of age, effects of photoperiod length and light intensity on performance traits were not significant. The heterophil/
lymphocyte ratio in 20 lux and dim, reducing light intensity groups were 0.30 and 0.15 (P<0.001), respectively. On the other hand, the effect
of light intensity has no influence on heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Cold and hot carcass weights and whole breast meat and wing weights
were found lower in the dim, reducing light intensity group than 20 lux light intensity group. The effects of photoperiod length and light
intensity on carcass characteristics were not significant, statistically. In conclusion, it can be said that body weight, feed consumption, feed
convertion ratio, whole breast meat and wing weights were increased by providing the increasing photoperiod used with a 20 lux light
intensity in broiler breeding.
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