Effect of Application Different Lighting Programs on Some Productive Performance of Broiler (ROSS 308)

Abstract

       This study was conducted from September 10, 2023, to November 13, 2023, at the poultry farm of the Animal Production Department of the College of Agriculture, University of Basrah. The objective was to compare the effects of continuous lighting systems with various intermittent lighting regimes on the productive performance of broilers. A total of 216 one-day-old unsexed ROSS308 chicks were randomly assigned to six experimental treatments, with three replicates each consisting of 12 chicks. Each treatment was reared in a separate sectiona. From hatching to four days old, chicks received 23 hours of light per day. The lighting programs started on the fifth day and lasted until the end of the 35-day trial. The experiment parameters were as follows: T1: continuous lighting (22 L, 2 D); T2: intermittent lighting (11 L: 1 D) twice a day; T3: continuous lighting (20 L: 4 D); T4: intermittent lighting (5 L: 1D) four times a day; T5: continuous lighting (18 L: 6 D) daily; T6: intermittent lighting (3 L: 1D) six times a day. The results showed a significant increase (P≤0.05) in live body weight, cumulative weight gain, and cumulative feed intake up to 35 days of age in birds increase under the T1 and T2 programs. Significant improvements (P≤0.05) were observed in feed conversion rate, economic index, and livability ratio for birds under T4, T5, and T6 programs in the study.