Light emitting diode (LED) use in artificial lighting for broiler chicken production

Light emitting diode (LED) has been used in commercial poultry industry by presenting superior energy savings and providing feasibility on production process. The objective of this research was to evaluate performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens exposed to different LED colors compared with fluorescent lamps. For that, two experiments (E1 and E2) were performed and 2,646 Cobb® chickens were used. In experiment E1, male birds were exposed to 20 lux artificial lighting with red, yellow, blue, and white LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. In experiment E2, male and female birds were exposed to 15 lux artificial lighting with red and blue LED bulbs; and fluorescent bulb. Cumulative weight gain (kg), feed intake (kg), feed conversion, hot carcass weight (kg), carcass yield (%), and breast and thigh + drumstick yield (%) were used as response variables. Results showed no difference (p > 0.05) among treatments for performance, carcass yield, and cut yield in experiment E1. In experiment E2 there was only difference between genders (p 0,05) entre os tratamentos para desempenho e rendimento de carcaça e cortes, no experimento E1. No experimento E2, houve diferença apenas entre os sexos (p < 0,05), com machos apresentando maior ganho de peso acumulado, maior consumo de ração, maior peso de carcaça quente e maior rendimento de coxa-sobrecoxa. Pode-se concluir que a utilização de LED, nas diferentes cores, apresentou o mesmo efeito das lâmpadas fluorescentes sobre o desempenho e o rendimento de carcaça de frangos de corte.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)UNESP FMVZ Departamento de Melhoramento e Nutrição AnimalUFGD Faculdade de Ciências AgráriasUFGD FCAUNESP FMVZ Departamento de Produção AnimalUNESP FMVZ Departamento de Melhoramento e Nutrição AnimalUNESP FMVZ Departamento de Produção Anima