Intermittent lighting and feeding schedules for broilers incorporating long periods of darkness

Intermittent lighting and feeding schedules incorporating long periods of darkness and periods without access to food were applied to growing broilers. 2. Birds exposed to a 2 h light(L): 10 h dark(D) lighting schedule with feeding restricted to the light periods ate significantly less food and grew more slowly than conventionally‐reared birds. Satisfactory growth and efficiency of food utilisation were obtained by allowing these birds access to food during the dark periods. 3. Altering the lighting schedule to 2L:6D resulted in birds with food intakes and growth rates similar to those reared conventionally, even when feeding was restricted to the light periods. 4. Releasing birds from the light and food restriction for the 2 weeks preceding slaughter resulted in greater food consumption which was not characterised by significantly better growth or food utilisation. 5. Feeding a diet of high energy or pelleting a diet of low energy during the period of restriction increased food intake and improved growth rate. 6. The response of broilers to intermittent lighting and feeding was not significantly influenced by ambient temperature within the range 16 to 35 °C or by the energy concentration of the diet fed before the introduction of the intermittent schedule.