ACTA VETERINARIA ET ZOOTECHNICA SINICA ›› 2015, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (7): 1169-1175.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2015.07.013

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Effects of Light Color on Production and Carcass Performance and Sexual Characteristics in Yellow-feathered Broilers

LI Yun-lei1,SUN Yan-yan1,HUA Deng-ke1,WANG Quan-hong2,WANG Chong-qing2,BAI Hao1,LIU Nian1,LI Dong-li3,LUO Qing-yao1,CHEN Chao1,CHEN Ji-lan1*   

  1. (1.Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China;2.Beijing Monitoring Station of Animal Husbandry Environment,Beijing 102200,China;3.Beijing Bainianliyuan Ecological Agriculture Co.,LTD,Beijing 101500,China)
  • Received:2014-10-30 Online:2015-07-23 Published:2015-07-23

Abstract:

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects of light color on the production and carcass performance and sexual characteristics of Yellow-feathered broilers,aimed to provide theoretical and practical guidance for poultry production.A total of 720 one-day-old Beijing-You chicks were reared under white light,green light (λ = 525 nm),blue light (λ = 460 nm) and red light (λ = 630 nm) from light-emitting diode lamps as light sources.Each treatment included 6 replicate groups with 30 chicks per group.Feed and water were provided for ad libitum consumption.All birds were exposed to 20 lx of light intensity for the first week,and then 5 lx till the end.Feed consumption was recorded daily.At the end of 4,8 and 13 weeks of age,body weight was recorded.At the end of 13 weeks of age,the chosen birds were sacrificed and carcass data were collected.The present study found that in the brooding and growth period,the birds in red light group grew slowly,and reached statistical significanc groups(P<0.05)at the end of 8 weeks of age,but then the red light group grew rapidly and caught up with the other groups (P>0.05) at the end of 13 weeks age.Compared with the white light group,the blue and red color light improved the survival rate.Breast muscle weight and percentage of red light group were lower than that of green light group(P<0.05),while thigh muscle weight and percentage had no significant differences(P>0.05).Fat deposition capability of monochromatic light groups was higher than that of white light group.The red light increased the weight of testis.The result indicate that,in the brooding period,the intelligent use of blue light improves survival rate,and then the red light enhances the chickens’ body growth and gonadal development in the fattening period.

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