light intensity for poultry

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Scholar’s Advances in Animal and Veterinary Research, 1(1): 25-29.
http: //www.mrscholar.com; ISSN:2409-5281
Research Article
Comparative Effect of Light Intensity on Behavior and Blood Profile in Broilers
Sultan Mahmood1
, Fawwad Ahmad1
, Ahsan ul Haq1
, Ghulam Abbas*1
, Razia Abdual Majeed Qureshi4
,
Muhammad Fiaz5
Tanveer Ahmad2
, Muhammad Ijaz Saleem2
and Muhammad Khurram Shahzad3
1
Department of Poultry Science; 2
Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery; 3
Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 4
Centre of Excellence in Solid State Physics,
University of Punjab, Pakistan, 5
Livestock and Dairy Development Department Pakistan
*Corresponding author: ghulamabbas_hashmi@yahoo.com
ARTICLE HISTORY A B S T R A C T
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
February 14, 2014
March 28, 2014
April 20, 2014
The objective of the study was to describe the effects of varying levels of light
intensities on behavioral and blood profile in broilers. Variable light intensity
treatments, T1 (20 lux) was given at first week and 5 lux, from 2-6 weeks, to
broilers in group A, T2 (20 lux) at first week and 10 lux from 2-6 weeks, to
group B, T3 (20 lux) at first week and 20 lux from 2-6 week to group C, T4
(20 lux) at first week and 30 lux from 2-6 weeks to group D, and T5 (20 lux)
at first week and 40 lux from 2-6 week to group E birds. The results revealed
that non-significant effect (P>0.05) of light intensity variations on eating
behavior at weeks 2, 4, 5 and 6, drinking behavior at weeks 2, 5 and 6.,
standing behavior at week 2 and 5, preening behavior at weeks 2, 3, 5 and 6,
and aggressive behavior at weeks 3, 4, and 5. The eating behavior at week 3,
drinking behavior at weeks 3 and 4, standing behavior at weeks 3, 4 and 6,
preening behavior at week 4 and aggressive behavior at weeks 2 and 6 were
significantly affected (P<0.05) by light of varying intensities. The effects on
cholesterol and T4 hormone levels, with variations in light intensity were
significant effected, whilst it had non-significant effects on cortisol, urea,
creatinine, T3 level, respiratory rate and rectal temperature. Adverse effects,
such as dermatitis, lameness and hock burn were not found in birds in all
treatments groups.
All copyright reserved to Mr.Scholar
Key words:
Behaviors light intensities
Broiler
Dermatitis
Physiology
Respiratory rate
To Cite This Article: Mahmood S, F. Ahmad, A ul Haq, G. Abbas, R. A. Qureshi, M. Fiaz, T. Ahmad, M. I.
Saleem and M. K. Shahzad, 2014. Comparative effect of light intensity on behavior and blood profile in broilers.
Sch Adv Anim Vet Sci, 1(1): 25-29.
INTRODUCTION
Light is a crucial factor of bird’s ecology. Variation
in light intensity may affect the metabolism,
performance, welfare, immunity level and other
physiological parameters in chicken (Brown et al.,
2007; Sadrzadeh et al., 2011; Olanrewaju et al., 2011,
2012; Lia et al., 2010; Senaratna et al., 2012). Increase
in light intensity caused increased behavioral activity in
broilers (Davis et al., 1999), in contradiction to
previous report by Denbow et al., (1990). Broilers
reared at 5 lux were less active during the day than 50
or 200 lux (Blatchford et al., 2009). Similarly broilers
received 5 lux light significantly preened and foraged

2. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 25-29.
26
Less than those reared at 50 lux or 200 lux. Broilers
reared at 5 lux spent more time in sleeping, less time in
preening and foraging than those of reared in the 50
and 200 lux treatments, respectively (Alvino et al.,
2009). Similarly, standing, walking, and total activity
were higher at 180 lux than 6 lux treatment, whereas,
feeding and drinking was non-significantly different
with variation in light intensity (Newberry et al., 1988).
The broilers showed more foraging behavior in dim
rather than bright light intensities (Kristensen et al.,
2007). Aggressive behavior and pecking activity were
significantly higher in birds under high light intensity
(50 lux) (Mohammed et al., 2010). Other studies
revealed significant effect of light on growth hormones,
blood profile and stress hormones (Kuhn et al., 1996;
Charles et al., 1992), whilst other studies indicated non
significant effect of light on physiological parameters
of broilers (El-Filky et al., 2008; Onbasilar et al.,
2007).
The present study was designed to observe the
effects of variation in light intensity on behavioral and
various blood profile of broiler birds at various age
group, in order to evidently recognize and eliminate the
vagueness in prior researches.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Experimental Design: The research was conducted at
the Poultry Research Center, University of Agriculture,
Faisalabad. One hundred and fifty broiler chicks were
randomly divided into 15 experimental units
comprising 10 chicks each, as replicates. Three
replicates were randomly assigned to each of the five
treatment groups. All birds were provided 20 lux light
during first week, then after distributed to following
light treatment groups:
Light treatment T1 (5 lux from 2-6week) was given
to birds of group A, T2 (10 lux from 2-6 week) to group
B, T3 (20 lux from 2-6week) to group C, T4 (30 lux
from 2-6week) to group D, and T5 (40 lux from 2-
6week) to group E birds. These birds were vaccinated
according to recommended schedule and kept and kept
indoor, under same environmental conditions. The birds
were provided a commercial feed as recommended to
their age specifications (AOAC, 2000).
Behavioral Observations: All experimental birds
were profoundly observed, twice a day, during the
study period understanding of variations in light
intensities on eating, drinking, standing, preening, and
aggressive behaviors, from week 2nd
to 6th
(Mohammed
et al., 2010).
Hematological Analysis: Blood samples were
collected in heparinized vaccutainers, aseptically from
brachial vein from 3 birds from each replicate, in ice
boxed before transfer to the laboratory. Plasma samples
were harvested after centrifugation of each sample and
stored at -20°C for further analyses. Each sample was
used to analyze Corticosterone, using universal micro
plate spectro- photometer with ELISA reagent assay
test kits, as described by Olanrewaju et al. (2010) and
plasma T3 and T4 concentrations, according to Dozier
et al. (2011).
Statistical Analysis: The data collected was subjected
to statistical analysis for the interpretation of results
using analysis of variance technique with completely
randomized design. Treatment means were compared
by Duncan Multiple Range test (Steel et al., 1996).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Behavioral Observations: The effects of various light
intensity on behavioral changes in boilers is presented
in Table-1. Light intensity had non-significant effects
(P>0.05) on eating behavior in broilers, during 2nd
to 6th
weeks of study. Similar effect also noted on drinking
behavior of broilers, except at week 4th
and 6th
, when
drinking was significantly variable (P<0.05) amongst
the groups. The effect of light on standing behavior in
broilers during 2nd
and 5th
weeks was non significant,
while at 3rd
, 4th
and 6th
weeks was significantly altered.
Preening behavior was changes during 4th
by light
intensity (P<0.05). A significant (P<0.05) aggression
behavior was noted during week 2nd
, 3rd
and 6th
amongst the groups, with higher light intensities.
Similar observations had also been reported in previous
researches by (Charles et al., 1992). It was suggested
that blue or green light to be preferred for broiler to
white light to calm down behavior. However, Prayitno
et al. (1997) argued for reduction in locomotion
disorders with increase in activity due to bright light.
Kristensen et al. (2007) had reported less feather-
pecking behavior using warm-white rather than bio-lux
light and more foraging behavior in dim rather than
bright light intensities.
Senaratna et al. (2010) found that preference of
light colors of broilers is significantly affected by the
age of the birds and the time of the day. Light colors
had effects on standing, walking, dust bathing, wing/leg
stretching during 4th
week. In contrast, Deep et al.,
(2010) also visualized effects of light intensity on

3. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 25-29.
27
Table 1: Behavioral profile of broilers kept under different light intensities treatment groups
Eating behavior Week Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E
W2 16±1.535 15.33±3.1798 15.66±1.20 26.33±5.239 24±2.0817
W3 11±2065 20.667±1.77 18.76±2.33 24±4.5±3 20±4
W4 21.67±3.3 17.33±3.1.778 20±1.5 21±3 22±3.21
W5 12.0±0.6 15±2 18.7±1.2 17.7±1.4 18.7±3.5
W6 17.7±0.33 19±2.88 23±1.73 14.7±1.8 17±4.35
W2 10.667±0.881 12±1.154 12±1.732 14±2 16.7±1.8
Drinks behavior W3 11±0.6 11.33±0.88 13.667±1.76 15.67±1.86 15.33±1.86
W4 15.333±0.88A
15.67±1.45A
11.67±1.33B
14±1.15AB
10.67±0.333B
W5 9.67±0.88 13.33±3.6 9.33±067 14±2.3 12.33±0.667
W6 10.67±0.881 8±1.53 7±2.65 11±0575 13.33±4.7
Standing behavior W2 10.33±1.453 12±1.732 16.33±2.67 10±1.53 13.33±4.7
W3 9±.58 8.67±2.03 16.33±3.28 10±1.15 2067±1.76
W4 8±2B
15.33AB
12±3.B
1 9.71±2.B
1 19.33±1.763
W5 11.33±3.76 15±3 10.6±2.91 9.33±0.881 22.33±3.844
W6 4±2.30 12.35±0.67 13±2B
.31 12.33±2B
.85 25.A
33±2.91
Preening behavior W2 0.00±00 0.333±0.333 0.00±0.0 0.0±0.0 0.0±0.0
W3 2.333±1.201 1.333±0.67 0.0±0.0 0.67±0.33 0.0±0.0
W4 0.0±0.C
0 1.333±AB
0.333 0.333BC
±0.333 2±A
0.577 0.67±0.333
W5 0.0±0.0 1±0.0 1.67±0.67 0.667±0.333 1.333±0.333
W6 0.333±0.333 1.667±0.333 0.667±0.333 1.333±0.333 0.333±0.333
Aggressive behavior W2 0.667B
±0.333 0.0±0C
.0 0.0±C
0.0 0.0C
±0.0 1.33A
3±0.881
W3 0.333C
±0.333 1.667BC
±0.333 0.33C
3±0.333 2.33AB
±0.333 3.333A
±0.881
W4 0.667±0.333 1±0.577 2.66±0.881 4±1.154 2.667±1.201
W5 0.0±0.0 1.667±0.881 2±0579 1.333±0.333 0.333±.333
W6 0B
.0±0.0 1±AB
0.0 0.B
667±0.333 B
0.667±0.333 2A
±0.577
Same superscript within rows shows non-significant differences
Table 2: Blood profile of broilers kept under different light treatment groups
Parameters
Light Treatment groups
A = 5 lux
(2-6week)
B = 10 ux
(2-6week)
C= 20 lux
(2-6week)
D = 30 lux
(2-6week)
E = 40 lux
(2-6week)
Cholesterol mg/dl 128 ab
±4.61 115b
±4.61 126b
±4.61 129ab
±4.61 141a
±4.61
T3 ng/ml 2.767±0.13 2.433±0.13 2.533±0.13 2.733±0.13 2.367±0.13
T4 ug/dl 4.633a
±0.19 4.8 b
±0.19 4.433ab
±0.19 4.633a
±0.19 4.867b
±0.19
Creatinine ng/dl 0.847±0.02 0.900±0.02 0.873±0.02 0.880±0.02 0.887±0.02
Urea ng/dl 41.333±0.58 42±0.58 41.667±0.58 42.333 ±0.58 43±0.58
C o r t i s o l m g / d l 9.223±0.28 9.033±0 . 2 8 9 . 3 6 7 ±0 . 2 8 9 . 4 ±0 . 2 8 9 . 7 ±0 . 28
Temperature F 102.333±0.39 102.00±0.39 102.667±0.39 102.333±0.39 102.333 ±0.39
Respiratory rate/ minute 70.667 ±0.54 70.333±0.54 71±0.54 71.667 ±0.54 72.667 ±0.54
Same superscript within rows shows non-significant differences
broiler behavior and physiological rhythms. Birds
which provided 1 lux light, rested more and he reduced
behavior of foraging preening, dust-bathing, stretching
and wing-flapping as compare to 10 lux, 20 lux and 40
lux. Praytino et al. (1997) reported that effect of bright
red light was more pronounced on walking, feeding and
stretching behavior especially during early growth
period. These findings at in consistent with the findings
of current research.
Blood profile: The changes in blood profile with
various light intensities are presented in Table-2. The
changes observed in cholesterol and T4 hormone levels
were significantly (P<0.05), amongst bird groups,
whereas, effects on cortisol, urea, creatinine, T3 level,
respiratory rate and rectal temperature were non-
significantly (P>0.05). Highest blood cholesterol value
of observed in birds kept under treatment 40 lux
(141a
±4.61 mg/dl), whilst higher T4 values were in
those birds provided with 5 lux and 30 lux light
intensities (4.867±0.19 ug/dl).
Thyroid hormones, Triiodothronine (T3) and
Thyroxin (T4) are important hormones of growth
(McNabb and King, 1993).The increase in cholesterol
and T4 hormone indicated a positive effect due to
higher light intensity. The cortisol level was not

4. Sch Adv Anim Vet Res, 2014, 1(1): 25-29.
28
affected by variation in light intensities, even at 40 lux,
which is inconsistent with the previous findings (El-
Filky et al., 2008). During stress in broiler birds, the
plasma Corticosterone was known to be elevated
(Puvadolpirod and Thaxton, 2000a-d; Olanrewaju et al.,
2006). Kuhn et al. (1996) had reported improved
growth rates, higher plasma growth hormone levels and
testosterone concentrations in male broiler chickens
raised under continuous lighting (23L: 1D) and
intermittent lighting (1L: 3D, IL) repeatedly as
compared to those birds reared under a continuous
lighting (24L: 0D) schedule. In contrast, Onbasilar et
al. (2007) envisaged non-significant effects of different
light treatments on glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride
levels.
Whilst excavating and interpreting results of the
present research, evaluating the effects of higher light
intensities on different health parameters, it could be
concluded that variation in light intensities had
executed effects on health and behavior of broilers. The
light 5 lux had advantageous affected in the
enhancement of welfare of birds as well as saving
income of the farmers, and there was no deterioration in
routine activities of birds at this light intensity level.
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