Effect of Light Intensity and Low-Level Intermittent Lighting on Broiler Performance During a High Density Limited-Area Brooding Period

Abstract In an attempt to determine the amount of light needed during the brooding period (0 to 3 weeks) under a limited-area brooding density equivalent to one-half house brooding for commercial broilers, three trials were conducted. Results showed that broilers which received a continuous lighting regimen at an intensity of 75 lx had significantly less mortality than those brooded under a continuous lighting regimen of 5 lx. Three-week body weight was not significantly affected by lighting regimens used. The best 3-week feed conversion was obtained by those brooded under an intermittent lighting regimen (5 lx for 15 min, followed by 105 min of no measurable light, repeated continuously). However, the mortality of the broilers brooded under the intermittent lighting regimen was significantly higher than that of those brooded under the continuous lighting regimen.