Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age

SUMMARY: Lighting programs for broilers have traditionally employed continuous or near-continuous photoperiods through the first week of life to ensure chicks can successfully navigate the rearing environment for feed and water. Normal melatonin production and ocular development require a minimum of...

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Main Authors: C.L. Magee, H.A. Olanrewaju, J. Campbell, J.L. Purswell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2022-12-01
Series:Journal of Applied Poultry Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617122000599
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author C.L. Magee
H.A. Olanrewaju
J. Campbell
J.L. Purswell
author_facet C.L. Magee
H.A. Olanrewaju
J. Campbell
J.L. Purswell
author_sort C.L. Magee
collection DOAJ
description SUMMARY: Lighting programs for broilers have traditionally employed continuous or near-continuous photoperiods through the first week of life to ensure chicks can successfully navigate the rearing environment for feed and water. Normal melatonin production and ocular development require a minimum of 4 h of darkness, yet photoperiod research in broilers has not typically examined the first week. This study examines the effect of a longer dark phase (scotophase) applied during the first 7 d post-hatch on live performance. A total of 384 Ross 708 broiler chickens were reared in 2 trials to 14 d of age using 2 different lighting program treatments (20L:4D vs. 23L:1D) applied from day-of-hatch. No significant differences were observed between treatment groups for live performance parameters including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Crop fill rates were also assessed, and no significant differences were observed. Increased scotophase length may be implemented as early as day-of-hatch without any compromise in performance.
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spelling doaj.art-d0ff5489c5de456b8d093d26c77b14c32022-12-22T03:38:20ZengElsevierJournal of Applied Poultry Research1056-61712022-12-01314100295Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-ageC.L. Magee0H.A. Olanrewaju1J. Campbell2J.L. Purswell3US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USAUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USAAuburn University, Biosystems Engineering, AL 36849, USAUS Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Poultry Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Corresponding author:SUMMARY: Lighting programs for broilers have traditionally employed continuous or near-continuous photoperiods through the first week of life to ensure chicks can successfully navigate the rearing environment for feed and water. Normal melatonin production and ocular development require a minimum of 4 h of darkness, yet photoperiod research in broilers has not typically examined the first week. This study examines the effect of a longer dark phase (scotophase) applied during the first 7 d post-hatch on live performance. A total of 384 Ross 708 broiler chickens were reared in 2 trials to 14 d of age using 2 different lighting program treatments (20L:4D vs. 23L:1D) applied from day-of-hatch. No significant differences were observed between treatment groups for live performance parameters including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Crop fill rates were also assessed, and no significant differences were observed. Increased scotophase length may be implemented as early as day-of-hatch without any compromise in performance.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617122000599broilerday lengthlight program
spellingShingle C.L. Magee
H.A. Olanrewaju
J. Campbell
J.L. Purswell
Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
Journal of Applied Poultry Research
broiler
day length
light program
title Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
title_full Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
title_fullStr Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
title_full_unstemmed Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
title_short Effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14-days-of-age
title_sort effect of photoperiod on live performance in broiler chicks from placement to 14 days of age
topic broiler
day length
light program
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617122000599
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