Laying-Hen Reactions on Artificial Light in a Floor Housing System

Abstract

Investigations about laying-hen reactions to different artificial light conditions were carried out in a climate chamber equipped with a floor housing system for laying hens. The activity of the hens measured with activity sensors was about three times higher during light periods compared to dark periods. The light intensity had little influence on the total activity of the hens. Moisture production (MP) increased during light periods probably due to increased activity, thereby increasing respiration rate, but also due to increased scratching of the bedding material. The daily average MP varied between 6.9 and 7.0 g hen-1h-1. The level of light intensity seemed to have little influence on MP. Total heat production (THP) was slightly higher, between 20 to 30 %, during light periods compared to dark periods. Explanations can be increased bird activity as well as feed intake that led to increased metabolic rate during light periods. The daily average THP varied between 11.3 and 13.2 W per hen. Carbon dioxide production increased about 30 % during light periods compared to dark periods, probably due to increased activity and respiration. The preference of light intensity was studied by varying the intensity between two parts of the housing system. The hens´ preferences were measured by registration of the number of eggs laid and amount of manure produced in the two parts of the system. There was a tendency that the hens prefer a lower intensity for laying eggs but defecation occurred more at higher lighting intensity. Similar preferences occurred when the hens could choose between a bright light source and a dark area. The preference of colour was studied by using coloured light in one part of the chamber and white light in the other part. The hens showed preference of white light, followed by green light for defecation but equal preference for laying eggs. There were preferences for blue light compared to white light both for laying eggs and laying manure. There was a small preference for red light compared to white light for laying eggs but equal preference for laying manure

Keywords

Laying Hens; artificial light; heat; moisture; carbon dioxide

Published in

Agricultural Engineering International: the CIGR Ejournal
2010, Volume: 12, number: 2, pages: 21-28 Publisher: CIGR

SLU Authors

• Gustafsson, Gösta

  • Department of Rural Buildings and Animal Husbandry [LBT], Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Von Wachenfelt, Eva

  • Department of Rural Buildings and Animal Husbandry [LBT], Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Veterinary Science
Animal and Dairy Science


Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/29574