Effect of Light and Stocking Density Regimen on Welfare and Zoo-Technical Performance of Broilers Under Tropical Conditions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density (SD) under three different colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on production and welfare in tropical conditions. A total of 1224-day-old straight-run broiler chicks were divided into nine groups, each with four replicates, and housed in light-proof rooms for a period of 42 days. They were raised under three different SDs: 12 kg/m2 (26 chicks/replicate), 15 kg/m2 (33 chicks/replicate), and 20 kg/m2 (43 chicks/replicate), and three LED light colors: white (W), blue (B), and green (G). The production, welfare parameters, and litter material quality were assessed. Body weight and gait score were improved (p < 0.05) in low SD birds, but the main effect of LED light was inappreciable on growth parameters. The main effect of light color and SD had no significant difference (p > 0.05) on welfare indices. However, there was a significant interaction effect of light color and SD on the feather score of birds in this study. Similarly, light color had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the globulin content, and the highest content was observed in the W group, followed by the G and B groups. The litter moisture content increased significantly (p < 0.05) as the SD increased from 12 to 20 kg/m2. The study concluded that birds under W color LED light and low SD could attain better growth without impairing welfare.