Study on Effect of Light Intensity and Perch on Welfare and Some Behavioral Traits in Broilers

PDF
Published: Apr 19, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.31446
Keywords:
Behavior Broiler Light Intensity Perch Welfare
EZ Okur
Aydin Adnan Menderes University
ED Fidan
Adnan Menderes University
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9805-6162
Abstract

The present study examined the effect of light intensity and perch use of broilers on welfare status (foodpad dermatitis (FPD), hock burn (HB), gait score (GS), eye dimensions) and some behavioral traits (standing, sitting, walking, feeding, drinking, leg extension, lying down, trimming their feathers, pecking, wing and flapping, aggressive behavior and perching) in broilers. A total of 270, 1-day age male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to groups based on the light intensity (5, 20, and 80 lux) and perch use (perch and no perch) with three replicates. No footpad dermatitis was found in the light intensity and perch groups. 20 and 80 lux light intensity tended (P<0.01) to decrease the incidence and severity of HB lesions. There was no effect of perch use on the GS of broiler chickens. Eye weight was determined to be lowest (2.019 g) in the 80 lux light intensity group and highest (2.107 g) in the 5 lux group (P<0.05). In the study, it was observed that the presence of the perch reduced the walking and standing behaviors statistically (P<0.001). It was observed that the use of 20 lux light intensity in broilers both reduced incidence of HB and reduced eye weight, positively affecting the welfare of broilers. In conclusion, these results suggest that perch use have a beneficial effect on the walking, standing, and wing flapping behaviors of chickens.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Research Articles
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

· Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

· Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

· Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
Author Biographies
EZ Okur, Aydin Adnan Menderes University

Animal Science

ED Fidan, Adnan Menderes University

Animal Science

References
Aldridge DJ, Owens, CM, Maynard C, Kidd MT, Scanes
CG (2022) Impact of light intensity or choice of intensity
on broiler performance and behavior. J Appl Poult Res 31:
Alvino GM, Archer GS, Mench JA (2009) Behavioural time budgets of
broiler chickens reared in varying light ıntensities. Appl Anim Behav
Sci 118(1-2): 54-61.
Appleby MC, Mench JA, Hughes BO (2004) Poultry behaviour and welfare. Wallington, United Kingdom: CABI Publishing.
Aviagen. 2018. Ross Broiler Management Handbook. Aviagen. Huntsville, AL.
Bailie CL, Baxter M, O’Connell NE (2018) Exploring perch provision
options for commercial broiler chickens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 200:
-122.
Bailie CL, O’Connell NE (2015) The influence of providing perches and
string on activity levels, fearfulness and leg health in commercial
broiler chickens. Animal 9(4): 660-668.
Bench CJ, Oryschak MA, Korver DR, Beltranena E (2017) Behaviour,
growth performance, foot pad quality, bone density, and carcass traits
of broiler chickens reared with barrier perches and fed different dietary crude protein levels. Can J Anim Sci 97(2): 268-280.
Benoit J (1964) The role of the eye and of the hypothalamus in the photostimulation of gonads in the duck. Ann N Y Acad Sci 117(1): 204-
Berg CC 1998. Foot-pad dermatitis in broilers and turkeys-Prevalence,
risk factors and prevention. PhD Diss. Swedish Univ Agric Sci, Uppsala, Sweden.
Bist RB, Subedi S, Chai L, Regmi P, Ritz CW, Kim WK, Yang X (2023)
Effects of perching on poultry welfare and production: A Review.
Poultry 2: 134-157.
Bizeray D, Estevez I, Leterrier C, Faure JM (2002a) Effects of increasing
environmental complexity on the physical activity of broiler chickens. Appl Anim Behav Sci 79(1): 27-41.
Bizeray D, Estevez I, Leterrier C, Faure JM. 2002b. Influence of increased
environmental complexity on leg condition, performance, and level
of fearfulness in broilers. Poult Sci 81:767-773.
Blatchford RA, Archer GS, Mench JA (2012) Contrast in light intensity,
rather than day length, influences the behavior and health of broiler
chickens. Poult Sci 91(8): 1768-1774.
Blatchford RA, Klasing KC, Shivaprasad HL, Wakenell PS, Archer GS,
Mench JA (2009) The effect of light intensity on the behavior, eye
and leg health and immune function of broiler chickens. Poult Sci
(1): 20-28.
Buyse JPCM, Simons PCM, Boshouwers FMG, Decuypere E (1996) Effect of intermittent lighting, light intensity and source on the performance and welfare of broilers. World’s Poult Sci J 52(2): 121-130.
Chen DH, Bao J, Meng FY, Wei CB (2014). Choice of perch characteristics by laying hens in cages with different group size and perching
behaviours. Appl Anim Behav Sci 150: 37-43.
De Jong I, Berg C, Butterworth A, Estevéz I (2012) Scientific report updating the EFSA opinions on the welfare of broilers and broiler breeders. EFSA Support Publ 9(6): 116.
Deep A, Raginski C, Schwean-Lardner K, Fancher BI, Classen HL (2013)
Minimum light intensity threshold to prevent negative effects on
broiler production and welfare. Br Poult Sci 54(6): 686-694.
Deep A, Schwean-Lardner K, Crowe TG (2012) Effect of light intensity on broiler behavior and diurnal rhythms. Appl Anim Behav Sci
(1): 50-56.
Deep A, Schwean-Lardner K, Crowe TG, Fancher BI, Classen HL (2010)
Effect of light intensity on broiler production, processing characteristics and welfare. Poult Sci 89(11): 2326-2333.
Downs KM, Lien RJ, Hess JB, Bilgili SF, Dozier III WA (2006) The effects of photoperiod length, light intensity, and feed energy on growth
responses and meat yield of broilers. J Appl Poult Res 15(3): 406-416.
EU (2007) Council of the European Communities, 2007/43/EC, Council
Directive. Laying Down Minimum Rules for the Protection of Chickens Kept for Meat Production, Off. J.L., 182, 19-28.
Fortomaris P, Arsenos G, Tserveni-Gousi A, Yannakopoulos A (2007) Performance and behaviour of broiler chickens as affected by the housing
system. Arch Fur Geflugelkunde 71(3): 97-104.
Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Toscano MJ, Würbel H (2017) Perch use by broiler
breeders and its implication on health and production. Poult Sci 96:
-3549.
Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Toscano MJ, Würbel H (2018) Use of areal perches and perches on aviary tiers by broiler breeders. Appl Anim Behav
Sci 203: 24-33.
Granquist EG, Vasdal G, de Jong IC, Moe RO (2019) Lameness and its
relationship with health and production measures in broiler chickens.
Animal 13(10): 2365-2372.
Hongchao J, Jiang Y, Song Z, Zhao J, Wang X, Lin H (2014) Effect of
perch type and stocking density on the behaviour and growth of broilers. Anim Prod Sci 54(7): 930-941.
Kestin SC, Adams SJM, Gregory NG (1994). Leg weakness in broiler
chickens, a review of studies using gait scoring. In: Proceedings
of the 9th European Poultry Conference. Vol 1., United Kingdom
Branch of the WPSA, Glasgow, Scotland: pp 203-206.
Kestin SC, Knowles TG, Tinch AE, Gregory NG (1992) Prevalence of leg
weakness in broiler chickens and its relationship with genotype. Vet
Rec 131(9): 190-194.
Kiyma Z, Küçükyılmaz K, Orojpour A (2016) Effects of perch availability
on performance, carcass characteristics, and footpad lesions in broilers. Arch Anim Breed 59(1): 19-25.
Lewis P, Morris T (2006) Poultry lighting, the theory and practice, Andover-Hampshire: Northcot.
Li T, Troilo D, Glasser A, Howland HC (1995) Constant light produces
severe corneal flattening and hyperopia in chickens. Vision Res 35(9):
-1209.
Lien RJ, Hess JB, Mckee SR, Bilgili SF, Townsend JC (2007). Effect of light intensity and photoperiod on live performance, heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and processing yields of broilers. Poult
Sci 86(7): 1287-1293.
Mens A, van Emous R (2022). Broiler breeders roosted more on slats
than on perches during the laying period. Appl Anim Behav Sci 246:
Morrison JC, Johnson EC, Cepurna W, Jia L (2005) Understanding mechanisms of pressure-induced optic nerve damage. Prog Retin Eye Res
(2): 217-240.
Newberry RC, Blair R (1993). Perches ease handling of broiler chickens. In: Proceedings of the Fourth European Symposium on Poultry
Welfare. CJ Savory and BO Hughes, ed. Universities Federation for
Animal Welfare, Potters Bar, U.K: pp 270-271.
Newberry RC, Hunt JR, Gardiner EE (1988) Influence of light intensity
on behavior and performance of broiler chickens. Poult Sci 67(7):
-1025.
NRC (1994) National Research Council. Nutrient requirements of poultry.
th Edition, National Academy Press, Washington DC.
Olanrewaju HA, Miller WW, Maslin WR, Collier SD, Purswell JL, Branton SL (2015) Influence of photoperiod, light intensity and their interaction on health indices of modern broilers grown to heavy weights.
Int J Poult Sci 14(4): 183-190.
Rault JL, Clark K, Groves PJ, Cronin GM (2017) Light intensity of 5 or
lux on broiler behavior, welfare and productivity. Poult Sci 96(4):
-787.
Saraiva S, Saraiva C, Stilwell G (2016) Feather conditions and clinical
scores as indicators of broilers welfare at the slaughterhouse. Res Vet
Sci 107: 75-79.
Siopes TD, Timmons MB, Baughman GR, Parkhurst CR (1984) The effects of light intensity on turkey poult performance, eye morphology,
and adrenal weight. Poult Sci 63(5): 904-909
Snedecor GW, Cochran WG (1989) Statistical Methods, Eight edition.
Ames, Iowa: Iowa state University press.
Sorensen P, Su G, Kestin S.C. (2000) Effects of age and stocking density
on leg weakness in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 79(6): 864-870.
Su G, Sorensen P, Kestin SC (2000) A note on the effects of perches and
litter substrate on leg weakness in broiler chickens. Poult Sci 79(9):
-1263.
Tablante NL, Estevez I, Russek-Cohen E (2003) Effect of perches and
stocking density on tibial dyschondroplasia and bone mineralization
as measured by bone ash in broiler chickens. J Appl Poult Res 12(1):
-59.
Thompson CE, Forbes JM (1999) Morphology of eyes of turkeys reared
under commercial lighting regimens at different light intensities. Br
Poult Sci 40(S1): 5-6.
Tracey DJ, Walker JS (1995) Pain due to nerve damage: are inflammatory
mediators involved. Inflamm Res 44: 407-411.
Ventura BA, Siewerdt F, Estevez I (2010) Effects of barrier perches and
density on broiler leg health, fear and performance. Poult Sci 89(8):
-1583.
Ventura BA, Siewerdt F, Estevez I (2012) Access to barrier perches improves behavior repertoire in broilers. Plos One 7(1): e29826.
Weeks CA, Danbury TD, Davies HC, Hunt P, Kestin SC (2000) The behaviour of broiler chickens and its modification by lameness. Appl
Anim Behav Sci 67(1-2): 111-125.
Welfare Quality (2009). Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol for Poultry (Broilers, Laying hens). Welfare Quality® Consortium. Lelystad,
the Netherlands.
Zhao JP, Jiao HC, Jiang YB, Song ZG, Wang XJ, Lin H (2012) Cool perch
availability improves the performance and welfare status of broiler
chickens in hot weather. Poult Sci 91(8):1775-1784