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Behaviour serves as a reliable measure for evaluating the well-being of laying hens. The light source did not significantly influence the walking, standing, and feeding behaviours of chickens. Widowski et al. (1992) demonstrated that birds seen walking had a more uniform distribution between two light sources than the anticipated distribution of around 30% incandescent to 70% fluorescent. In the current experiment, sedentary and resting behaviours were significantly elevated under fluorescent (FL) and blue light (BL). Prayitno et al. (1997) reported a similar observation for blue light, however Kristensen et al. (2007) asserted that sitting conduct was unaffected by light sources.
Hughes (1982) posits that anomalous conduct in laying hens, such as feather pecking and cannibalism, may be influenced by the illumination conditions within the housing environment. Fluorescent lighting is anticipated to result in reduced sitting and resting behaviour, based on the premise that the light's flickering may induce anxiety in birds. This was evidently not the case in the current trial, as demonstrated by the reduced levels of feather pecking and aggressive conduct. Feather pecking and aggressive behaviours were elevated under blue light; nevertheless, the changes observed did not attain statistical significance. The findings on feather pecking and aggressive behaviour contradicted the data of Leighton et al. (1989), which indicated that light sources do not influence these activities. The results of the current experiment were likely due to the reduction in the wavelength distribution of blue light (< 500 nm). Wavelengths of light extending from red to infrared are essential for the proper functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The inadequate output of long-wavelength light evidently heightened the actions of hens. Activities including as walking, feather pecking, and hostility were elevated under blue light. Savoury and Mann (1999) observed that pecking and cannibalism may be more prevalent in groups with elevated activity levels. Perhaps, chickens sought a means to mitigate this deficiency. Boshouwers and Nicaise (1993) indicated that physical activities are more pronounced under fluorescent light compared to incandescent light. In the current trials, hens exhibited greater activity under fluorescent light compared to incandescent light; however, aberrant behaviours such as feather pecking and aggression were less prevalent under fluorescent light than under incandescent light. Moinard et al. (2001) reported that fluorescent light considerably diminished the occurrence of tail injuries and tended to decrease the incidence of wing injuries resulting from feather pecking when compared to incandescent light. The increased activity of chickens under blue light corresponded with an extended feeding duration (66.1%), perhaps indicating a heightened energy need for such activity. Consequently, light sources influenced eating behaviour; nevertheless, the observed difference lacked statistical significance, as noted by Vandenberg and Widowski (2000), who discovered that feeding happened more frequently than anticipated under incandescent light compared to high-pressure sodium light (HPS).
The second experiment yielded results analogous to those of the first experiment. Once more, walking, feather pecking activity, and aggressive behaviour were elevated under blue light, particularly at high light intensity. Newberry et al. (1988) observed increased wandering and overall activity at high light intensity (180 lux) compared to low light intensity (6 lux), although feeding and drinking behaviours were unaffected. The detrimental impact of the interplay between blue light and high light intensity on feather pecking was documented by Hughes and Duncan (1972), Hughes and Black (1974), and Appleby et al. (1992). Consequently, light sources influence the plumage condition of hens by affecting feather pecking, as demonstrated by Van Emous et al. (2003), who indicated that varying light sources may impact plumage condition based on the frequency of feather pecking. However, this outcome contradicts the findings of Xie et al. (2008), who indicated that blue light may mitigate the stress response in broilers by decreasing serum interleukin-1ß levels. Overall, reduced feather pecking activity and lower occurrence of aggressive behaviours were observed for low light intensity across all investigated light sources, consistent with the findings of Hester et al. (1987), Classen et al. (1994), Nixey (1994), Manser (1996), Sherwin (1998), and Tauson (2005). Shinmura et al. (2006) found no significant difference in hostility before and after the reduction of light intensity in any housing arrangement. Based on our findings, we recommend employing low light intensity to regulate aberrant behaviours in laying hens, as proposed by Hughes (1982) for all light sources.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our study shown that light sources with low wavelength spectra may adversely affect the behaviour of laying hens and, therefore, should not be utilised as the only lighting source.
Summary
Behaviour of laying hens is affected by lighting conditions in the house. Effects of lighting intensity and photoperiod are well described, whereas, knowledge on the effects of light sources (wave length spectrum, frequency of current) is still limited. Therefore, two experiments were carried out to study the effects of different light sources (incandescent bulbs, fluorescent tubes, high frequency daylight tubes, blue fluorescent tubes) and light intensities (low intensity = 5 lux, high intensity = 50 lux) on normal (activity, resting, feeding) and abnormal behaviour (feather pecking, aggressive behaviour) in laying hens. Hens were kept in pens with opaque walls and were observed directly for different behaviours several times per week. It was found that pecking activity and aggressive behaviour were significantly higher in birds under high light intensity. In the same way, blue light resulted in higher activity of hens and higher frequency of feather pecking and aggressive behaviour. Birds tended to rest more under fluorescent light. It was concluded that light sources with low wave lengths spectrum should not be used as a sole light source and that high light intensities should be avoided in layer houses.
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