A recent project evaluated the impact on broiler body weight, feed consumption and feed conversion when birds were provided six hours of darkness throughout the entire six-week flock while compared to a control that had 24 hours of light for the first seven days.
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Poultry light programs are a popular topic of conversation as a part of managing the poultry house environment. However, if a poll of light programs was conducted, one would find that there are many different variations in the light programs. Features of light such as photoperiod length, light intensity and even spectrum vary a lot among different operations and farms. Light is critical in avian reproduction and is managed closely in pullets, breeders and layer housing. Light is also important in broilers. For example, bird activity is correlated with light intensity. Light management can impact poultry behavior, physiology and performance.
