Using different light colors as a stress factor on broiler performance in Egypt

Transcription

1 AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC AND APPLIED SCIENCES ISSN: EISSN: Journal home page: Using different light colors as a stress factor on broiler performance in Egypt 1 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel, 2 Radi Ali Mohamed, 3 Mohamed Mostafa Saleh 1 Professor of Animal Behavior and Management, Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh city, Egypt. 2 Associate Professor of Fish Behavior, Department of Aquaculture (Welfare group), Faculty of Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh city, Egypt. 3 Postgraduate student, Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh city, Egypt. Address For Correspondence: Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel, Professor of Animal Behavior and Management, Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, (P.O ), Kafrelsheikh city, Egypt.. A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Received 28 March 2017 Accepted 22 May 2017 Available online 26 June 2017 Keywords: Behavior, Broilers, Immune response, Light colors, Performance. BACKGROUND: The major and widely used environmental factor in the poultry that influencing the bird behavior, activity, reproduction, growth performances and immunity is the light. Currently, the potential for changing lighting periods to influence broiler productivity and health is receiving a considerable investigation. As, broilers are highly dependent on artificial lightening which may be considered as a stress factor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was conducted in order to compare the effect of different light colors on growth performance, feed and water intake, behavior and immune response in broiler chicken under Egyptian conditions. RESULTS: The results revealed that the highest body weight gain (BWG) was recorded in the alternative green and blue light (G-BL) group (2610g) in comparison to blue light (BL) group (2556g), green light (GL) group (2439g) and white light WL) (2008g). Regarding feed intake (FI) and mortality percent, results proved that the lowest FI and mortality percent were recorded in the intermittent G-BL group (4590g and 1.2%, respectively) in comparison to BL group (4676g and 1.8%, respectively) and GL group (4795g and 1.8%, respectively). On the other hand, the broilers kept under WL recorded the highest values of these parameters (4830g and 3%, respectively). In addition, the highest and economic FCR was obtained in broilers kept under the alternative G-BL group. There was a significant difference in broiler behavior among different light colors. As, the highest time spent in rest and sleep was recorded among birds kept under the alternative G-BL group (160.6 sec), while, the birds kept under WL group recorded the lowest time in rest and sleep (124.4 sec). Moreover, there was no significant difference in preening and wing flapping behaviors among birds kept under different light colors. On the other side, birds kept under WL revealed that the highest values in ground pecking and tonic immobility (TI). CONCLUSION: From the results obtained in the current study, it is strongly recommended to use an alternative cycling between green and blue light colors in broiler farms to get high growth performance with low cost and low vices. Otherwise, they can use the blue colored light on their farms to improve the animal welfare. INTRODUCTION Commercial broilers have been selected for fast growth rate and high productivity by rearing them under artificial lighting. The primary role of an artificial light is to improve feed consumption, growth and immunity in Open Access Journal Published BY AENSI Publication 2017 AENSI Publisher All rights reserved This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). To Cite This Article: Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel, Radi Ali Mohamed, Mohamed Mostafa Saleh., Using different light colors as a stress factor on broiler performance in Egypt. Aust. J. Basic & Appl. Sci., 11(9): , 2017

2 166 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel et al, 2017 broilers (Bayraktar et al., 2012; Blatchford et al., 2012). Keeping broilers with constant light color is a common practice in commercial houses for controlling the bird activity and reducing the fearful behavior, being detrimental to the welfare (Senaratna et al., 2016). Lighting is one of the environmental factors that affecting the performance of poultry and activity, so poultry houses must be properly lit to reduce cannibalism and bird movement (Mendes et al., 2010). Proper lighting manipulation involves the light color that does not act only as a source of illumination for birds, but it also affects their physiology, reproduction and behavioral activities (Gongruttananun and Guntapa, 2012). Light colors are becoming well known to affect the physiology and immune responses of broilers (Xie et al., 2008; Seo et al., 2016). The color of monochromatic and alternative light affects growth, development, and behavior in chickens (Cao et al., 2008; Sultana et al., 2013; Mohamed et al., 2014). Xie et al. (2008) suggested that green (560 nm) and blue light (480 nm) promote greater antibody production and increase the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared with those of broilers reared under red light (660nm). Warm white light was reported to enhance the broiler immune function (Sharideh and Zaghari, 2017), however, little is known about the immune response of broilers reared under different green to blue light colors. Light allows the bird to establish rhythmicity and synchronize many essential functions, including body temperature and metabolism that improve feeding and digestion. On the other hand, light stimulates secretory patterns of several hormones that control growth, maturation, and reproduction (Robinsen and Renema, 1999). Davis et al. (1997) showed that young broilers have a strong preference for bright light. There was a significant positive influence of green color on the growth, feed intake and feed conversion (El-Husseiny et al., 2000). In addition, it affected T 3 and T 4 concentrations in plasma, while, white and red light had a positive effect on the pituitary gland and comb. Broiler chickens, which were exposed to green light showed an increase in growth and improved feed utilization (Tag-Eldin et al., 2006). According to Lewis and Morris (2000), blue and green light colors aided in the control of aggressiveness and excessive activity in broilers. Green light stimulates growth of birds at an early age, and shifting birds to a different light color at 10 or 20 days of age may further stimulate growth (Rozenboim et al., 2004). Recently, Cao et al. (2012) recommended that shifting green light to blue and blue to green improved growth and performance in broilers. Therefore, the objective of this study was planned to investigate the effect of different light colors on the behavior and performance of broilers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Birds and Experimental Design: A total of 240 one day old broiler Cobb chicks was purchased from a commercial hatchery at Kafr El- Sheikh Governorate, Egypt. Unhealthy chick such as crooked legs and beaks, lameness, white vents and open navels was discarded. The chicks were allocated randomly into four equal light treatment groups (n=60) in triple replicates (20 3) using colored incandescent bulbs. Each group was kept in a separate free-run, environmentally controlled room at a density of 10 chicks/m 2 according to Firouzi et al. (2014). The birds in the first group were provided by White light color (WL) and kept as a control group. The birds in the second group were provided by Green light color (GL) and the birds in the third group were supplied with Blue light color (BL). Meanwhile, the birds in the fourth group were exposed to an alternative light cycle changed from green to blue (G-BL) every four hours according to Onbasilar et al. (2007). The light lamps were placed 2.3m above the birds. Light intensity was equalized at the bird head level, so birds received the same amount of light. All birds were kept under an intensity of 40 lux and 24h light length from 0 to 7 days of age. After seven days of age, light intensity was reduced to 25 lux and the light-dark cycle was 23h: 1h, respectively, according to Rozenboim et al. (2004). Identical care and management were provided to all birds in the different treatments throughout the duration of the study according to Xie et al. (2008) and Kim et al. (2013). The broilers had free access to starter feed pellet (EL-Wadi Company, Cairo, Egypt) with 23% Crude Protein (CP) and 3,020 kcal Metabolisable Energy (ME)/kg, which was fed from day 1 to day 21. Then changed to finisher ration with 19% CP and 2,900 ME/kg was fed from day 22 to the end of the experiment (42days) and water at all times. The room temperature was started from 33 C according to Gharib et al. (2005) on the first day to the seventh day of age and then the ambient temperature was reduced by 3 C each week until it reached 21 C at the fifth week of age. Newcastle disease vaccine (Pfizer Company, Egypt) was administrated at day seven of age in the drinking water and the second vaccine at day 18 of age. Gumboro disease vaccine was administrated in the drinking water at day 14 of age only according to AL-Khauzai et al. (2010).

3 167 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel et al, 2017 Ethical Approval: All experimental and animal management procedures were undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the Animal Care and Ethics Committee of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Egypt. Data Collection: Feed intake (FI), Body Weight (BW) and Body Weight Gain (BWG) were measured weekly. In addition, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) was determined weekly for relevant time periods. Rooms were checked for dead birds twice daily (8 AM and 8 PM and the total mortality was calculated weekly as a percentage of live birds at the start of each trial according to El-Husseiny et al. (2000). Six blood samples from each group were taken randomly every week to monitor some blood parameters as heterophil to lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxine (T 4) according to Moore and Siopes (2000) and Xie et al. (2008). At 28 days, six blood samples from each group were taken and the resulted serum samples were analyzed for Newcastle antibody titer using a Radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit (Labor Diagnostika Nord GmbH and Co.). Broiler behavior was recorded using a digital camera for each small pen in the experimental rooms. Behaviors were recorded every week for a 24 h period. Individual birds (small pen) involved in feeding (at feeder), drinking (under the drinker), resting, ground pecking, preening and wing flapping were recorded at every 10 min interval during observation period according to Rierson (2011) and Hakan and Ali (2005). Tonic Immobility (TI) induction times and duration were recorded weekly according to Al-Aqil et al. (2009) by selecting six birds randomly from each group. Statistical Analysis: Data were reported as means ± SE and analyzed by one-way ANOVA using Graph Pad prism 5. The significance of difference among the different groups was evaluated by Tukey s post hoc multiple comparison test. The significance level was set at P < Results: The mean values of broiler performance which kept under different light colors are presented in Table 1. Results revealed that, the highest BWG at the end of the experiment was recorded in the alternative G-BL group (2610g) followed by BL group (2556g) and GL group (2439g). While, the lowest BWG was recorded in broilers kept under WL (2008g). Concerning FI and mortality percent, results showed that the low FI and mortality percent were recorded in the intermittent G-BL group (4590g and 1.2%, respectively) then BL group (4676g and 1.8%, respectively) and GL group (4795g and 1.8%, respectively). While, the broilers kept under WL recorded the highest values of these parameters (4830g and 3%, respectively). In addition, the highest and economic FCR was obtained in broilers kept under the alternative G-BL group followed by BL group and the GL group while the WL group was the worst FCR from the economical point of view. Table 1: Means ± SE of broiler performance kept under different light colors Light color White (control) Green Blue Green Blue P-value Initial body weight (g) 44± ± ± ± Final body weight (g) 2052±92.42 a 2483±45.64 b 2600±55.43 b 2655±54.24 b Body weight gain (g) 2008 ±24 a 2439±36.20 b 2556±31.23 b ±26.78 b Total feed intake (g) 4830±8.66 a 4795±11.55 a 4676±5.77 b 4590±5.77 c Feed Conversion ratio 1 : : : : 1.75 (FCR) Mortality % 5 % 3.33 % 3.33 % 1.67 % ab Means along rows with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) Mean values of broiler behaviors are presented in Table 2. Data showed that there was a significant (P 0.05) difference in broiler behavior among different light colors. As, the highest time spent in rest and sleep was recorded among birds kept under the alternative G-BL group (160.6 sec) followed by BL group (155.7 sec) then GL group (149.4 sec). While, the birds kept under WL group recorded the lowest time in rest and sleep (124.4 sec). While, there was no significant (P 0.05) difference in preening and wing flapping behaviors among birds kept under different color lights. On the other hand, birds kept under WL revealed that the highest values in ground pecking and TI.

4 168 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel et al, 2017 Table 2: Means ± SE of some broilers behaviors kept under different light colors Light color White (control) Green Blue Green x Blue P-value Rest and sleep (sec) 124.4±5.93 a 149.4±7.62 b 155.7±6.02 b 160.6±6.93 ab Preening 1.67± ± ± ± Wing flapping 1.50± ± ± ± Ground pecking 2.84±0.16 a 2.5±0.22 b 2.17±0.17 ab 2.06±0.32 ab Tonic immobility 1.40± ± ± ± induction Tonic immobility duration (sec) 37.50±2.14 a 26.33±1.56 b 26.83±1.20 bc 25.50±1.12 ac ab Means along rows with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) Data about immune response are presented in Table 3. The total NDV antibody titer showed the highest concentration in alternative G-BL group (2610g) compared to other groups. Whereas, H/L ratio revealed there was no significant (P 0.05) difference in H/L ratio and circulating thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T 3) and thyroxin (T 4) among birds reared under different light colors. Table 3: Means ± SE of some blood parameters of broilers kept under different light colors. Light color White (control) Green Blue Green x Blue P-value H/L ratio 0.50± ± ± ± NVD Titer 0.87±0.006 a 3.09±0.046 b 3.15±0.017 b 3.76 ±0.044 c T 3 (ng/dl) 1.51± ± ± ± T 4 (ng/dl) 0.99± ± ± ± ab Means along rows with different superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05) Discussion: The highest BWG at the end of the experiment which recorded in the alternative G-BL group, suggesting that white light could reduce weight gain probably through the reduction in feed consumption. Poultry producers that use white light in the control of broilers body weight should weigh its advantage versus the weight loss associated with the other light colors, especially when applying light colors in the farms during fattening. These findings are contrary to Sharideh and Zaghari (2017) who mentioned that Effects of different color temperatures of the LEDs and ICD light bulbs on body weight, feed consumption, and FCR were not statistically significant (P>0.05). This difference may be attributed to breed difference. There was a decrease in the FI and mortality percent in the intermittent G-BL group. These results are in agreement with that recorded by Yang et al. (2016), suggesting that the alternative lighting programs have frequently resulted in superior broiler productivity in comparison to constant light and these results are attributed to alternative G-BL stimulates growth in chickens, leading to higher BW and improving the BWG (Classen et al., 2004; Rahimi et al., 2005). In addition, separate BL and GL have a positive effect on BW and BWG due to their calming effect which improves body weight and BWG and these results are in agreement with that recorded by Olanrewaju et al. (2006). The results indicate that bright lighting is likely to stimulate the appetite and feeding behavior. The highest and economic FCR, which recorded in birds kept under the alternative G-BL group proved that broilers raised under dim light are less active, therefore often have better gains and sometimes improved FCR.. These results are in agreement with that recorded by Blatchford et al. (2009). This significant difference (P 0.05) may be due to a calming effect of GL and BL and the positive effect of these light colors on feed intake and feed utilization. Certain behaviors showed significant difference (P 0.05) among different light colors; specially the highest time spent in rest and sleep, which recorded among birds kept under the alternative G-BL group may be attributed to the calm effect of green and blue light. Also, rearing broilers under green and blue light, making the environment more comfort for birds as it reduces the ground pecking and tonic immobility time. It was also found that exposure to light stimulus is known to induce behavioral arousal (movement) and desynchronization of the physiological arousal (Sakai et al., 1996). The results of our findings are in accordance with the study of Senaratna et al. (2016) and Prayitno et al. (1997) who recorded that blue or green light is preferable to red or white light for broilers because it keeps the birds calmer and is chosen by the birds themselves. Concerning low T 3 and T 4 concentrations and high H/l ratio, blue and alternative G-BL enhance cellular and humoral immune responses in broilers and had a higher H/L ratio. The results indicated that the proliferation of peripheral blood T lymphocytes in the BL group was significantly increased compared with those in the WL and GL groups, respectively. These results are in agreement with that recorded by Xie et al. (2008). These results suggested that photo-stimulation plays an important role affecting the immune response (Onbasilar et al., 2007; Seo et al., 2016).

5 169 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel et al, 2017 From these results, it could be concluded that blue and/or alternative G-BL is beneficial for poultry producers, as it improves the BWG at an economic FCR and comfort from the animal welfare point. On the other hand, birds are more active and stressed under white color. REFERNCES Aqil, A., I. Zulkifli, A.Q. Sazili, A.R. Omar and M.A. Rajion, The Effects of the Hot, Humid Tropical Climate and Early Age Feed Restriction on Stress and Fear Responses, and Performance in Broiler Chickens. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science, 22: AL-Khauzai, A.L.D., K.N. Tahir and A.S.M. AL-Tepery, A study the effect of supplementation vitamin C and dietary calcium on: I-Some productive performance in two different strains of broiler chicks under heat stress conditions. AL-Qadisiya Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 9(2): Bayraktar, H., A. Altan and C. Seremet, The effects of spot lighting on broiler performance and welfare. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11(1): Blatchford, R.A., G.S. Archer and J.A. Mench, Contrast in light intensity, rather than day length, influences the behavior and health of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 91: Blatchford, R.A., K.C. Klasing, H.L. Shivaprasaddelete, P.S. Wakenell, G.S. Archer and J.A. Mench, The effect of light intensity on the behavior, eye and leg health, and immune function of broiler chickens. Poultry Science, 88: Cao, J., W. Liu, Z. Wang, D. Xie and Y. Chen, Green and blue monochromatic lights promote growth and development of broilers via stimulating testosterone secretion and microfiber growth. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 17: Cao, J., Z. Wang, Y. Dong, Z. Zhang, J. Li, F. Li and Y. Chen, Effect of combinations of monochromatic lights on growth and productive performance of broilers. Poultry Science, 91: Classen, H.L., C.B. Annet, K.V. Schwean-lardner, R. Gonda and D. Derow, The effects of lighting programs with twelve hours of darkness per day provided in one, six or twelve hour intervals on the productivity and health of broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 45: Davis, J., P.B. Thomas and T.D. Siopes, More evidence for light-dark growing. Broiler Industry, pp: El-Husseiny, O., S.M. Hashish, S.M. Arafa and A.H.H. Madian, Response of poultry performance to environmental light color. Egyptian Poultry Science Journal, 20: Firouzi, S., H. Nazarpak, H. Habibi, S. Jalali, Y. Nabizadeh, F. Rezaee, R. Ardali and M, Marzban, Effects of color lights on performance, immune response and hematological indices of broilers. Journal of World`s Poultry Research, 4(2): Gharib, H.B.A., M.A. El-Menawey, A.A. Attalla and F.K.R. Stino, Response, of commercial layers to housing at different cage densities and heat stress conditions.1- Physiological indicators and immune response. Egyptian Journal of Animal Production, 42: Gongruttananun, N and P, Guntapa, Effects of red light illumination on productivity, fertility, hatchability and energy efficiency of Thai indigenous hens. Kasetsart Journal: Natural Science, Bangkok, 46(1): Hakan, B and A. Ali, Effects of light wavelength on broiler performance. Hayvansal Üretim, 46: Kim, M.J., R. Parvin, M.M.H. Mushtaq, J. Hwangbo, J.H. Kim, J.C. Na, D.W. Kim, H.K. Kang, C.D. Kim, C.B. Yang and H.C. Choi, Growth performance and hematological traits of broiler chickens reared under assorted monochromatic light sources. Poultry Science, 92: Lewis., P.D. and T.R. Morris, Poultry colored effects of color and intensity of light on behavioral and light. World Poultry Science Journal, 56: Martrenchar, A, Animal welfare and intensive production of turkey broilers. World Poultry Science Journal, 55: Mendes, A.S., R. Reffati, R. Restelatto and S.J. Paixão, Visão e iluminação na modern poultry farming. Revista Brasileira Agrociência, 16(1-4): Mohamed, R.A., M.M. Eltholth and N.R. El-Saidy, Rearing broiler chickens under monochromatic blue light improve performance and reduce fear and stress during pre-slaughter handling and transportation. Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry, 30: Moore, C.B. and T.D. Siopes, Effect of lighting conditions and melatonin supplementation on the cellular and humoral immune responses in Japanese quail (Coturnic coturnic japonica). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 119(1): Olanrewaju, H.A., S. Wongpichet, J.P. Thaxton, W.A. Dozier and S.L. Branton, Stress and acid-base balance in chickens. Poultry Science, 85:

6 170 Tarek Mahmoud Mousa-Balabel et al, 2017 Onbasilar, E.E., H. Erol, Z. Cantekin and U. Kaya, Influence of intermittent lighting on broiler performance, incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia, tonic immobility, some blood parameters and antibody production. Asian-Australian Journal of Animal Science, 20: Prayitno, D.S., C.J.C. Phillips and H. Omed, The effects of color of lighting on the behavior and production of meat chickens. Poultry Sciene, 76: Rahimi, G., M. Rezaei, H. Hafezian and H. Saiyahzadeh, The effect of intermittent lighting schedule on broiler performance. International Journal of Poultry Science, 4: Rierson, R.D., Broiler preference for light color and feed form, and the effect of light on growth and performance of broiler chicks. Master of Science Thesis, Kansas State University. Rozenboim, I., I. Biran, Y. Chaiseha, S. Yahav, A. Rosenstrauch, D. Sklan and O. Halevy, The effect of green and blue monochromatic light combination on broiler growth and development. Poultry Science, 83: Sakai, H., P. Coffey, M.P. Villegas-Perez, M. Vidal-Sanz, M.J. Young, R.D. Lund and Y. Fukudu, Light induced EEG desynchronization and behavioral arousal in rats with restored retinocollicular projection by peripheral nerve graft. Neuroscience Letters, 218: Senaratna, D., T.S. Samarakone and W.W.D.A. Gunawardena, Red Color Light at Different Intensities Affects the Performance, Behavioral Activities and Welfare of Broilers. Asian Australians Journal Animal Science, 29(7): Seo, H.S., M.K.R. Yoon, J.H. Roh, B. Wei, K.S. Ryu, S.Y. Cha and H.K. Jang, Effects of Various LED Light Colors on Growth and Immune Response in Broilers. Japan Poultry Science Association, 53: Sharideh, H. and M. Zaghari, Effect of light emitting diodes with different color temperatures on immune responses and growth performance of male broiler. Annuals Animal Science, 17(2): Sultana, S., M.R. Hassan, H.S. Choe and K.S. Ryu, Impact of different monochromatic LED light colors and bird age on the behavioral output and fear response in ducks. Italian Journal of Animal Science, 12 (e94): Tag-Eldin, H.T., K. El-Sherif, M. Ali, E.F. Abd El-Hamid and A.E. El Salamony, Productive and reproductive performance of Golden Montazah and Matrouh chickens as affected by some light colors. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 84(5): Xie, D., Z.X. Wang, J. Cao, Y.L. Dong and Y.X. Chen, Effects of monochromatic light on proliferation response of splenocyte in broilers. Anatomia Histologia Embryologia, 10: Yang, Y., Y. Yu, J. Pan, Y. Ying and H. Zhou, ''A new method to manipulate broiler chicken growth and metabolism: Response to mixed LED light system". Scientific reports, 6: