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Archives of Microbiology
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Abstract: |
Due to the difference in spectral sensitivity between poultry and human, there was an
importance to identify the optimal light environment for health, behavior, welfare, and
production of layers. Overall birds have many types of retinal regional specializations, which
have been interpreted with the respect to both ecology and behavior. Light is one part of a
complex of the physical phenomenon called electromagnetic radiation, which is depending on its
wavelength. Light consists of 3 different aspects; intensity, photoperiod, and spectral content
color. Photoperiod manipulation is likely the most important aspect of light in poultry production.
Lighting programs in laying hen farms are depending on photoperiod, whereas, one hour increase
in daylength leads to increase in 4 egg numbers. Overall, the use of either an increasing or
intermittent lighting program will improve the welfare over those birds raised on constant light
photoperiods. Light source may have an effect on leg disorders, with the use of fluorescent bulbs
causing a lower incidence of the problem as compared to incandescent bulbs. Furthermore, the
light intensity plays important role in poultry welfare, where the decrease in light intensities may
cause lower body weights by altering behavioral patterns and can also cause eye damage,
increased mortality, and a result in physiological changes in the birds. The different light colors
had significant differences in all behaviors, plumage scores, foot condition, and growth
performance of layers due to presence of many types of retinal regional specializations. Thus,
this article concludes that the source, spectra, intensity, and regime of light supplementation
become major factors in modern poultry management
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