Effects of Four Lighting Regimes on the Performance of Broilers and Roasters

The effects of the following light treatments on 8-wk broiler and 14-wk roaster performances were compared: (1) continuous light; (2) an intermittent system of 1 h light and 3 h darkness during the night, with 13 h continuous light of the same intensity during the day; (3) an intermittent sytsem of 1 h light and 3 h darkness during the full 24-h period; (4) an intermittent system of 1 h light and 1 h darkness from 1 to 2 wk of age, 1 h light and 2 h darkness from 2 to 3 wk of age, and 1 h light and 3 h darkness from 3 to 14 wk of age during the full 24-h period. All birds were on continuous light until 1 wk of age when the treatments were applied. Treatment 2 caused a significant reduction in 8- and 14-wk body weight when compared with treatments 3 and 4. Roasters on treatments 2, 3, and 4 had significantly less leg defects than those on treatment 1.