Effects of intermittent lighting on broiler growth performance, slaughter performance, serum biochemical parameters and tibia parameters

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intermittent lighting (IL) on broiler growth and slaughter performance as well as serum biochemical and tibia parameters. Two hundred and eighty 7-d-old Ross 308 broilers were selected and reared from 8 to 42 d under IL photoperiods of either 2 hours of light:2 hours of dark (2L:2D) or 4 hours of light:4 hours of dark (4L:4D), or under continuous lighting (CL). On day 42, body weight of broilers raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod was significantly increased compared to those reared in the 2L:2D photoperiod. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) of broilers in IL was significantly less than broilers in CL. The feed conversion of broilers raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod was significantly more efficient than broilers in CL. The intestinal tract weight was greater in birds raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod compared to birds in CL. Similarly, the eviscerated yield with giblet and eviscerated carcass weights in birds reared in the 4L:4D photoperiod were significantly higher than corresponding weights observed in broilers raised in CL. Serum total protein concentration was distinctly higher in birds raised in the 4L:4D photoperiod than that in the 2L:2D photoperiod. In addition, the bone elastic modulus of birds reared in the 4L:4D photoperiod was greater than measurements observed in the 2L:2D photoperiod. Accordingly, we concluded that the 4L:4D photoperiodic lighting schedule was superior to both the 2L:2D photoperiod and CL in broiler production