Light emitting diode (LED) as a source of monochromatic light: a novel lighting approach for behaviour, physiology and welfare of poultry

Abstract

Light presents one of the considerable factors after nutrition and genetics in bird health and welfare. Therefore poultry producers are continuously looking for new and innovative tools to apply in poultry production in order to economise rearing costs and save rising energy concerns. Changes in the light regimen, intensity, duration and wavelength have a profound effect on the behaviour, physiology and production performance of poultry. Moreover, bird welfare is a major controversial issue and the adaptation of a lighting programme with a proper lighting tool could impart a possible solution for the betterment of poultry welfare. Light emitting diodes (LED), due to their various beneficial characteristics over traditional incandescent and fluorescent bulbs; are gaining popularity with poultry farmers. Therefore, it can be suggested that the use of LED in poultry housing is advantageous due to its energy efficiency and long life as compared to the conventional light sources, and with the added benefit of its various colours and higher productivity.

Keywords::

• LED
• light sources
• welfare
• growth
• laying
• poultry