Illuminance and egg production in broiler breeders

Abstract

1. Ross broiler breeders were reared at a nominal illuminance of 15, 20 or 45 lux and transferred to a nominal illuminance of 25, 55 or 70 lux at 20 weeks.

2. There were no significant interactions between the response to illuminance during rearing and in lay. This means that it matters not whether illuminance is increased, decreased or held constant on transfer to the laying house, provided it equals or exceeds the biological optimum for satisfactory egg production.

3. Whilst there were no significant effects of illuminance in either the rearing period or laying periods on egg numbers, peak rate of lay, terminal rate of lay, egg mass output or liveability, meta-analyses of these and other data indicated biological optima of 15 lux during rearing and 7 lux in the laying period. Birds reared at 45 lux had a lower mean egg weight (and earlier sexual maturity) than birds reared at 15 lux, and hens illuminated at 25 lux in the laying period laid more eggs on the floor than at either 55 or 70 lux.

4. Typical primary breeder recommendations of 10–20 lux during rearing and 30–60 lux in lay are appropriate for floor-housed birds; however, an illuminance of 7 lux could be used for caged birds, subject to welfare-code compliance.

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge the generous donation of 1-d-old chicks from Ross Poultry Breeders (South Africa) and the supply of lamps by Philips Lighting, The Netherlands.