Live performance and yields of broilers provided various lighting schedules

Algorithm for Autonomous Management of a Poultry Farm by a Cyber-Physical System

The article presents a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) for intelligent management of a poultry farm for broiler meat production, with a fully autonomous microclimate control. Innovative concepts have been introduced for automated management and changing parameters according to pre-set conditions and schedules, with the possibility that the parameters of the algorithm can be further adjusted by the operator. The proposed CPS provides for high productivity with minimal production waste, at optimized costs and with minimization of human errors. The CPS is built on the basis of cost-oriented components. A Raspberry Pi 4 8 GB is used as the server, and the free open-source software OpenHAB 3.0 is used to optimize the cost of building the system as much as possible.

Lighting schedule and dimming period in early life: consequences for broiler chicken leg bone development

Prolonged (>20 h) light periods during grow-out of broiler chickens have been shown to increase the occurrence of skeletal abnormalities, but the effects of early life light-dark schedules are not well known. The present experiment investigated the effect of lighting schedule and light-dark transition during the first days of a broiler chicken's life on leg bone development. In 2 experiments, Ross-308 broiler chicks (n = 2,500 per experiment) were subjected to 1 of 5 treatments for 4 d: 24L; 2L:1D lighting schedule with either an abrupt or gradual light-dark transition ("dimming"); and a 2L:6D lighting schedule with an abrupt transition or dimming. At d 4, tibia and femur weight, length, and diameter, yolk free body mass, organ weights, realized weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were determined. In Experiment 2, chick length and relative asymmetry of the femur and tibia were determined additionally. Data were analyzed using orthogonal contrasts. 24L resulted in higher femur diameter (P<0.028; both experiments), tibia diameter (P<0.001; Experiment 1), relative asymmetry of tibia length (P=0.002; Experiment 2), and relative asymmetry of femur length (P=0.003) than applying a light-dark schedule. A 2L:1D lighting schedule resulted in higher femur length (P=0.039; Experiment 1) and relative asymmetry of tibia length (P=0.032; Experiment 2) and lower relative asymmetry of tibia diameter (P=0.016) than a 2L:6D lighting schedule. An abrupt light-dark transition resulted in higher relative asymmetry of tibia length (P=0.004; Experiment 2) and relative asymmetry of tibia diameter (P=0.018) than dimming. To conclude, leg bone development in the first 4 d of a broiler chicken's life was higher for 24L than when a lighting schedule was applied, but relative asymmetry was higher as well, suggesting developmental instability. The effect of dimming on leg bone development was less pronounced, but the decreased relative asymmetry levels in the dimming treatment suggested lower environmental stress than for the abrupt light-dark transition.

Interactive effects of ammonia and light intensity on hematochemical variables in broiler chickens

This study examined the influence of early atmospheric ammonia exposure, light intensity throughout rearing, and their interaction on blood gases, electrolytes, and acid-base balance in broiler chickens under environmentally controlled conditions. The experiment consisted of a 3 x 3 factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design, with trials being replicated over time. The 9 treatments consisted of 3 levels (0, 25, and 50 ppm) of ammonia concentrations for 14 d and levels (0.2, 2.0, and 20 lx) of light intensities from 8 to 36 d of age. Venous blood samples were collected on d 6, 11, 14, and 35. On d 6, partial pressure of CO2 and Na+ increased significantly (P <or= 0.05), whereas partial pressure of O(2), pH, and K+ decreased with increasing ammonia concentration. As light intensity increased, pO2 and K+ were significantly (P <or= 0.05) reduced. Ammonia x light intensity interactions were observed for hemoglobin, hematocrit, K+, and BW. The interaction of ammonia and light intensity for 7 d further exacerbated physiological variables. The main effect of ammonia was more pronounced than that of light intensity. These conditions worsened as the duration of ammonia concentration exposure and light intensity increased from d 7 to 14 of exposure. However, all affected variables returned to near normal at later time points in the exposed chickens so that the apparent effects were lost. Plasma corticosterone and glucose concentrations were not significantly altered by exposure to differing levels of ammonia or light intensity, suggesting an absence of stress related to ammonia, light intensity, or their interaction. It was concluded that exposure of broiler chickens to aerial ammonia concentrations of 0 to 50 ppm from d 1 to 14 posthatch in the presence of light intensities ranging from 0.2 to 20 lx had no direct effect on some physiological blood variables and did not induce stress in broilers.

Efeitos dos programas de luz sobre desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e resposta imunológica em frangos de corte

Avaliaram-se os efeitos dos programas de luz 23L:1E (23L); crescente (CRES); 16L:8E (16L) e luz natural (NAT) sobre o desempenho, rendimento de carcaça e resposta imunológica de frangos de corte machos da linhagem Cobb-500. O período de criação foi de um a 45 dias de idade, e os tratamentos foram definidos de acordo com os programas de luz. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente ao acaso com quatro tratamentos e seis repetições de 35 aves cada. As aves submetidas ao programa de luz CRES apresentaram maior peso vivo em relação aos demais tratamentos (P<0,05). O consumo de ração também foi maior para as aves do tratamento CRES quando comparado aos tratamentos 23L e NAT (P<0,05), e semelhante ao tratamento 16L (P>0,05). A viabilidade das aves do tratamento NAT foi maior em relação às aves do tratamento 23L (P<0,05) e semelhante aos demais tratamentos (P>0,05). A conversão alimentar e o rendimento de carcaça não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos (P>0,05). As aves do tratamento 23L apresentaram maior rendimento de peito quando comparado aos demais tratamentos (P<0,05). A produção de anticorpos para a doença de Newcastle não foi afetada pelos tratamentos (P>0,05).

Dietary thyroid hormone improves growth and muscle protein accumulation of black-boned chickens

1. The objective of the study was to examine the effect of dietary thyroid hormone on performance and muscle protein accumulation of black-boned chickens. 2. A total of 720 1-d-old birds was housed in 24 pens and assigned to 4 diets containing triiodothyronine (T3) at 0, 0.1, 0.3 or 0.5 mg/kg. 3. The trial was split into starter (0 to 4 weeks) and grower (5 to 8 weeks) phases. At the beginning of the grower phase, each pen was split into two; one subgroup was fed basal diet (T3-) and the other continued with T3-added diet (T3+). 4. Dietary T3 at 0.1 mg/kg improved average daily body weight gain until week 6 but retarded it thereafter. However, T3 at 0.5 mg/kg depressed growth throughout the whole period. During weeks 7 to 8, T3 retarded growth, whereas growth recovered when T3 was withdrawn from the diet. 5. Birds fed the diet containing 0.1 mg/kg during weeks 0 to 4 and those receiving basal diet during weeks 5 to 8 showed the greatest thigh muscle growth, but this growth was depressed when they were fed the 0.5 mg/kg diet during weeks 0 to 8. 6. Serum T3 concentration was increased, while thyroxine (T4) concentration was decreased by dietary T3 treatment at 2 weeks old. At 4 weeks old, T3 and T4 concentrations decreased. At 6 and 8 weeks old, among T3-treated groups the serum T3 concentration of the T3- group was higher than that of the T3+ group. 7. In conclusion, dietary T3 improved weight gain and muscle growth of black-boned chickens before week 6, whereas supplementation depressed growth after 6 weeks. Optimum dietary T3 concentrations showed a carry-over effect on both body weight gain and thigh muscle growth.

The effect of intermittent lighting on metabolizable energy intake and heat production of male broilers

Experiments were conducted to compare the effects of an intermittent lighting (IL) schedule with repeated cycles of 1 h light and 2 h darkness with a continuous lighting (CL) schedule on the performance, ME intake, and heat production of male broiler chickens. Body weight gain and feed intake were temporarily reduced after the changing from CL to IL; however, they were significantly higher in IL vs CL chickens during the subsequent period of 3 to 6 wk of age. The IL chickens exhibited a higher ME intake at 6 and 8 wk of age than did CL chickens. Total heat production in IL chickens was higher than for CL chickens, although heat production during the dark period was less than that during the light period for IL chickens. The higher feed intake observed in IL chickens appears to explain the superior body weight gain in IL broilers in simple terms.

Effects of dietary roxarsone supplementation, lighting program, and season on the incidence of leg abnormalities in broiler chickens

Two 4 x 2 factorial experiments were designed to test the effects of four diets, differing in anticoccidial programs and roxarsone (3-nitro-4-hydroxyphenylarsonic acid) content, and two lighting programs on the incidence of leg abnormalities in 56-d-old male and female broiler chickens. The four diets were: A) basal diet + salinomycin (60.0 g/ton); B) basal diet + salinomycin (60.0 g/ton) + roxarsone (45.4 g/ton); C) basal diet + roxarsone (45.4 g/ton) + live coccidial vaccine; and D) basal diet + live coccidial vaccine. The light treatments were: 1) restricted (R) [18 h light (L): 6 h dark (D)] and 2) standard (S) [23L:1D]. The respective experiments were conducted during winter (Experiment 1, November to January) and summer (Experiment 2, June to August) growing conditions in the southeastern U.S. Light treatment had no significant (P > 0.10) effect on the incidence of leg abnormalities in either experiment. However, in Experiment 1, there was a light treatment by sex interaction; leg abnormalities were greater for males on Treatment R than Treatment S. In Experiment 2, females had a higher incidence of leg abnormalities than males (8.29 vs 4.73%). There was a diet by sex interaction for the incidence of leg abnormalities in Experiment 2; females had a greater incidence of leg abnormalities than males on Treatment A. In both experiments, the incidence was greater with dietary treatments containing roxarsone (P < 0.10). The percentage of leg abnormalities was greater in Experiment 2 than Experiment 1. Leg abnormalities were primarily due to fibrosis of the gastrocnemius tendons and tendon sheaths.

Relationship between age of commercial broiler chickens and response to photostimulation

A study was conducted to determine the relationship between age of commercial broiler chickens and response to photostimulation. The chickens were brooded collectively for 1 wk and then separated into five light treatment groups with each group replicated three times using a completely randomized block design. After Week 1, the five light treatments applied were: 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 wk of continuous supplementary lighting, respectively. Chickens were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet containing 22% CP and 3,300 kcal ME/ kg of feed from day old to 7 wk. At 7 wk of age, chickens in Group 5 treated with supplementary light during the last 2 wk of growth had the highest mean BW when the data on sexes were combined. When the data were separated by sex and analyzed, only male chickens showed a significant response to photostimulation and this was observed at 4 wk of age. Chickens in Group 5 had the best feed conversion with less mortality and no leg disorders. There were no significant differences among the relative organ weights among the treatment groups except for the pancreas. The pancreas taken from Group 5 had the smallest weight relative to BW. There were no significant differences in breast, thigh, drumstick, and wing weights when expressed as relative weight. However, there were significant differences when expressed as absolute weight. The breasts taken from birds in Group 5 were significantly heavier than the control breasts.

Effect of intermittent activity on broiler production parameters

The use of intermittent lighting in broiler production has been shown to result in spurts of activity that appear to reduce lameness. Because intermittent lighting is difficult to achieve in curtain-sided houses, the objective of this study was to determine whether simple equipment used to increase activity in broilers would improve production variables. At 1 d of age, 840 male broiler chicks were placed in 24 floor pens. The four treatments (six replicates of 35 chicks each) were as follows: 1) Control-standard feeders, 2) Ramps and Toys-birds had to climb a slight incline ramp to reach feeder and had a hanging mobile, 3) Ramps only, and 4) Toys only-standard feeders. Two trials were conducted. Weekly group weights and feed consumption were recorded. Mortality was recorded daily. At 6 wk of age, birds were bled, euthanatized, weighted, and scored for ascites and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), and relative heart, liver, and spleen weights were obtained. Blood samples were analyzed for blood gases, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and clinical chemistries were performed. In Trial 1, during Weeks 2, 3, and 4, treatments with ramps had significantly heavier average bird weight and significantly lower feed:gain ratios. In Trial 2, treatments with ramps had no difference in average BW; however, these groups consumed less feed, resulting in significantly lower feed:gain ratios. Cumulative mortality was decreased by ramp treatment in Trial 2. Toys decreased the incidence and severity of TD in Trial 2. In general, organ weights, blood gases, hematologies, and clinical chemistries were not affected by treatments. However, birds in treatments with ramps had significantly lower serum calcium and smaller hearts in Trial 1, and significantly lower serum cholesterol and smaller hearts in Trial 2.

Lighting programs for broilers that reduce leg problems without loss of performance or yield

This study tested the effects of light schedules on performance and yields of broiler chickens. In Experiment 1, light treatments during Days 1 to 49 of age were: 1) 23 h light (L):1 h dark (D); 2) 16L:8D;3) 16L: 3D:1L:4D; and 4) 16L:2D:1L:2D:1L:2D. In Experiment 2, Light Treatments 1 and 2 were the same as Treatments 1 and 4, respectively, in Experiment 1; 3) 23L:1D Days 1 to 7, 16L:8D Days 8 to 14, the light period was increased by 2 h/wk during Days 15 to 35, and 23L:1D Days 36 to 42; and 4) 23L:1D Days 1 to 7, 16L:8D Days 8 to 14, 16L:3D: 2L:3D Days 15 to 21, 16L:2D:4L:2D Days 22 to 28, 16L: 1D:6L:1D Days 29 to 35, and 23L:1D thereafter. In Experiment 1, BW was greater in Treatment 4 than Treatment 2 at 22 (708 vs 642 g) and 49 d (2,948 vs 2,797 g), percentage leg problems was lower in Treatments 2 to 4 (9, 10 and 6%, respectively) than in Treatment 1 (20%), and percentage Grade A was greater in Treatment 4 than Treatment 2 (60 vs 46%) at 49 d. In Experiment 2, BW was greater in Treatment 1 (692 g) than Treatments 3 (617 g) and 4 (620 g) at 21 d, and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was lower in Treatment 2 (3.1%) than Treatment 3 (15.3%) at 42 d. There were no differences for mortality among treatments in either experiment.

Effects of Lighting on the Welfare of Domestic Poultry: A Review

Four aspects of lighting which may influence the behaviour and physiology of housed poultry are light intensity, photoperiod, light source and wavelength. These factors are frequently manipulated in an attempt to improve productivity and to facilitate management practices. This review examines the effects of such manipulation upon the welfare of the birds. The majority of papers on lighting in poultry houses deal with their effects upon performance, rather than on factors associated with behaviour and health which may impinge upon welfare. Data about the preferences of birds for different lighting conditions are almost entirely lacking, but the practice of housing birds in relatively low light intensity is considered likely to lead to sensory deprivation in species where vision is important. Tentative recommendations are given pending the results of future research as to appropriate light intensity, photoperiod and light sources for domestic poultry.

The use of intermittent lighting in broiler raising. 1. Effect on broiler performance and efficiency of nitrogen retention

The purpose of the present experiments was to compare the effects of the intermittent lighting schedule (IL) consisting of repeated cycles of 1 h light (L):3 h darkness (D) with a nearly continuous lighting schedule 23L:1D (CL) on the performance of floor-reared male and female broiler chickens. In addition, N balance trials were performed on caged broilers in order to assess their efficiency of dietary N retention. Changing from CL to IL at Day 7 was followed by a temporary reduction in feed intake and BW gain. However, IL males exhibited compensatory growth during the finisher period in such a way that at Day 41 (market age), a similar BW as that of their CL counterparts was attained. In contrast, IL females did not completely attain a BW equal to that of CL females by 41 d of age. Imposing IL reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion. Abdominal fat pad contents of broilers reared under IL were significantly smaller than those of CL broilers. From the N balance trials, it can be inferred that broilers reared under IL have an improved efficiency of dietary N retention, especially during the period of increased growth velocity. Imposing IL at Day 7 is associated with a temporary reduction in BW gain, followed by complete growth compensation of males by Day 41. Female broilers did not restore BW by this age. As a consequence of the altered growth trajectory, the manifestation of the fat growth wave is shifted to an older age together with an enhanced efficiency of N retention.

Lack of interactions between dietary lysine or strain cross and photoschedule for male broiler performance and carcass yield

The purpose of this study was to test interactions of dietary lysine or strain crosses provided increased lysine with photoschedule on broiler performance and carcass quality. In Experiment 1, treatments were factorially arranged as two lysine levels [control grower and finisher (NRC, 1984) or control grower and finisher plus .15% L-lysine HCl] and two photoschedules [23 h light (L):1 h dark (D) or 14L:10D]. All birds received a control starter feed and dietary treatments were initiated at 22 d of age. In Experiment 2, treatments were factorially arranged as two strain crosses [Peterson x Arbor Acres (PAA) or Ross x Ross (RR)] and two photoschedules (23L or 16L). All birds received standard starter and standard grower and finisher plus .15% L-lysine HCl. There were no lysine by photoschedule or strain cross by photoschedule interactions in this study. The high-lysine diet increased BW, improved feed efficiency, increased lean carcass weight and yield of breast meat, and decreased abdominal fat and yield of thighs. The PAA strain cross had better feed conversion, fewer Grade A carcasses, more back bruises and breast blisters, greater yield of wings and drumsticks, and less yield of breast meat than RR. The 23L had greater BW, better feed efficiency, fewer breast blisters, greater carcass weight (Experiment 1), more abdominal fat (Experiment 2), lower yield of wings (Experiment 1), drumsticks, and thighs, and greater yield of breast meat than the treatments with shorter photoschedules. Increased dietary lysine did not compensate for decreased breast meat yield associated with 14L (Experiment 1).

The role of environment and management on leg abnormalities in meat-type fowl

Continuous light with 1 h of darkness at midnight is a common photoperiod for raising meat-type fowl. The logic behind the 1 h of darkness, usually provided between midnight and 0100 h, is to acclimate the birds to darkness in the event of a power failure. Increasing evidence from several research laboratories indicates that lighting regimens other than continuous light, such as intermittent or step-up lighting, can lower the incidence of leg abnormalities in meat-type fowl. Some evidence suggests that increased exercise contributes in part to the reduction in lameness due to lighting. Management can influence the incidence of leg and foot problems via effects on rate of gain, flooring systems, and litter moisture. Rapid weight gains have been correlated with tibial dyschondroplasia (TD), although more evidence is needed to determine whether other types of leg deformities, such as long bone distortion, are related to rapid growth rates. Using low intensity X-ray imaging (hand-held lixiscope), live breeders with TD lesions can be identified and the incidence of TD can be reduced in breeder flocks through genetic selection. In addition, turkeys can be selected for wider shanks to improve walking ability. Slippery surfaces should be avoided to prevent spraddled legs. With the exception of TD, broilers reared in cages have more leg deformities than floor-reared birds. Dry litter conditions can help prevent foot pad dermatitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria.

Plasma concentrations of corticosterone and thyroid hormones in broilers provided various lighting schedules

The purpose of this study was to measure plasma corticosterone and thyroid hormone concentrations in broilers exposed to various photoschedules. Day-old male broilers were placed on litter floors in light-controlled chambers. Four chambers were randomly assigned to each of four light treatments: 1) 23 h light (L):1 h dark (D) from 1 to 56 d of age (designated extended, E); 2) 1L:3D from 1 to 56 d (intermittent, I); 3) 6L:18D from 1 to 14 d and 1L:3D from 15 to 56 d (brief-I, BI); and 4) 6L:18D from 1 to 14 d and 23L:1D from 15 to 56 d (brief-E, BE). Blood samples were collected 0, 4, and 20 h after lights-on (1200 h) at 13, 41, and 55 d of age. Corticosterone concentration did not differ among light treatments or collection times and was decreased at 41 d compared with 13 d (.65 vs 2.11 ng/mL). Triiodothyronine (T3) increased and thyroxine (T4) decreased with age. At 13 d, there were light treatment by sampling time interactions for T3 and T4. Plasma T3 was elevated in Treatments BI (3.11 ng/mL) and BE (3.40 ng/mL) compared with Treatments E (2.39 ng/mL) and I (2.30 ng/mL) at 0 h; the former two treatments showed decreased T3 concentrations at 4 and 20 h compared with 0 h. Plasma T4 showed reciprocal changes to T3. There were no differences in T3 or T4 for light treatments or sampling times at 41 and 55 d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Growth, body composition, and plasma androgen concentration of male broiler chickens subjected to different regimens of photoperiod and light intensity

Day-old male Hubbard broilers (960) were assigned to one of four treatments (two pens of 120 birds per treatment) to evaluate the effects of high (150 lx) versus low (5 lx) light intensity and constant 23 h light (L):1 h dark (D) versus increasing (6L:18D increasing 4 h/wk to 23L:1D) photoperiod in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Birds were raised to 8 wk on a typical commercial four-diet program. Low-intensity birds were heavier than high-intensity birds from 2 to 8 wk (3.25% heavier at 8 wk). Birds raised under constant photoperiod were heavier than birds raised under increasing photoperiod from 2 to 5 wk and at 7 wk of age (1.71% heavier at 7 wk). High-intensity bird carcasses had lower percentage body fat, weight of fat, and higher percentage body protein at 8 wk compared with low-intensity bird carcasses (7.77, 10.76, and 1.77%, respectively). High-intensity birds had smaller abdominal fat pads (weight and percentage of body weight) at 8 wk compared with low-intensity birds (15.46 and 12.17%, respectively). Photoperiod did not affect body composition. Birds treated with increasing photoperiod had larger testes (weight and percentage of body weight) at 8 wk compared with birds under the constant photoperiod (29.36 and 30.51%, respectively). Birds treated under increasing photoperiod had higher plasma androgen concentrations at 7 wk compared with birds under constant photoperiod (testosterone, .270 versus .188 ng/mL; androstenedione, .632 versus .494 ng/mL).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of photoschedule and strain cross on broiler performance and carcass yield

The purpose of the present experiment was to examine possible interactions of strain cross and age with photoschedule for broiler performance and carcass yield. Day-old male broiler chicks from strain crosses of either Peterson x Arbor Acres (PA) or Ross x Arbor Acres (RA) were placed in light-controlled chambers (5.6 lx) with either 23 h light (L):1 h dark (D) from 1 to 56 days (Treatment E) or 6L:18D from 1 to 14 days and 1L:3D repeated from 15 to 56 days of age (Treatment BI). There were age by light treatment and age by strain cross interactions for BW; Treatment E had greater BW than Treatment BI from 7 to 42 days, and the PA cross BW was greater than the RA cross BW from 1 to 42 days of age. Cumulative feed efficiency was improved by Treatment BI compared with Treatment E up to 49 days. There were no differences among main effects for mortality, and the incidence of leg problems increased with age. Fillet and tender yields (per lean carcass weight) were higher for Treatment E than BI and opposite responses were seen for drumstick and thigh yields. The RA cross showed higher fillet and tender yields than the PA cross and the opposite relationship was found for drumstick and wing yields.

Live performance and carcass yield of broiler strain crosses provided either sixteen or twenty-three hours of light per day

The purpose of the present study was to compare a restricted (R) lighting program [16 h light (L):8 h dark (D)] with a standard extended (E) lighting schedule (23L:1D) for broilers. Experiment 1 was carried out during March and April (mean temperature of 23.3 C). Light treatments were 1) E; 2) R; 3) 16L:8D Days 1 to 21 and 23L:1D thereafter to 49 days (R3E); and 4) 16L:8D Days 1 to 14 and 23L:1D thereafter to 49 days (R2E). Treatments were factorially arranged with two strain crosses [Indian River x Arbor Acres (IA) and Peterson x Arbor Acres (PA)]. Experiment 2 was carried out during the summer (mean temperature of 27.0 C). Light Treatments E and R were factorially arranged with two strain crosses [Cobb x Arbor Acres (CA) and PA]. In Experiment 1, BW of Cross PA was greater than BW of Cross IA at 1, 14, 35, and 49 days of age. The percentage of birds with breast blisters was greater in Cross PA than IA. The incidence of broken clavicles was lower in Treatments R and R3E than in Treatments E or R2E. In Experiment 2, Treatment E had greater BW than R from 7 to 42 days of age, and BW of Cross CA was greater than that of PA from 1 to 48 days. Yield (percentage of lean carcass weight) of breast meat at 49 days of age was higher for Treatment E than R, and the percentage of birds with breast blisters was greater in Treatment R than E.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)