Artificial light and biological responses of broiler chickens: dose-response 2

Light intensity is an important aspect for broiler production. However, previous results do not provide a solid scientific basis for quantifying the response of broilers to light intensity. This study performed a meta-analysis to model the response of broilers to 0.1-200 lux of light intensity. Meta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of animal science Vol. 96; no. 1; pp. 98 - 107
Main Authors Yang, Yefeng, Pan, Chenghao, Zhong, Renhai, Pan, Jinming
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Champaign Oxford University Press 01.01.2018
Subjects
Calcium
Calcium ions
Chickens
Conversion ratio
Feed conversion
Light
Light intensity
Luminous intensity
Meta-analysis
Metabolism
Poultry
Productivity
Regression analysis
Statistical analysis
Weight reduction
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Summary:Light intensity is an important aspect for broiler production. However, previous results do not provide a solid scientific basis for quantifying the response of broilers to light intensity. This study performed a meta-analysis to model the response of broilers to 0.1-200 lux of light intensity. Meta-analysis was used to integrate smaller studies and increase the statistical power over that of any single study and explore new hypotheses. The results indicated that light intensity <5 lux caused welfare concern (P < 0.05) and light intensity <1 lux induced productivity loss of broiler (P < 0.05), whereas greater level of light intensity >10 lux led to increased mortality (P < 0.01) and decreased uniformity (P < 0.05). Meta-regression showed that 30-200 lux light intensity was negatively related to BW (P = 0.047) and feed intake change (P = 0.054), whereas a quadratic relationship was observed between feed conversion ratio change and 50-180 lux light intensity (R2 = 0.95). In addition, the majority of carcass characteristics (abdominal fat weight and wing weight) and metabolic indicators (K+, Ca2+, and T3) were affected by light intensity >5 lux. To conclude, this meta-analysis based on published data quantitatively identified that 5 lux of light intensity during grow-out period should be the minimum level to maintain a well productivity and welfare of broiler chickens.
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163
DOI:10.1093/jas/skx044