Welfare and productivity of laying hens with different light sources

• Grant number: 12/00174-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 08, 2012
• End date: December 15, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Rural Buildings and Ambience
• Principal Investigator: Danilo Florentino Pereira
• Grantee: Danilo Florentino Pereira
• Host Investigator: Richard Stephen Gates
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, United States

Abstract

Overall, some studies provide evidence in search of an ideal lighting program. However, more research is needed to reveal the spectrum ideal lamp to provide maximum production with minimum energy consumption, because, as the wavelengths of light intensity influence the behavior of birds, enhancing their welfare and productivity. This research aims to evaluate which type of lamp provides better welfare for laying hens on production, energy efficiency and increased productivity, noting: a) differences in behavioral expressions of hens subjected to different types of bulbs, especially the aggressive behavior, b) differences in growth performance: egg production, egg weight, shell weight, egg specific gravity and shell percentage and c) the power consumption of the different lamps used and see which offers the most cost-effective, considering if the zootechnical performance. It is expected the end of this study to measure what kind of lamp will bring greater efficiency, performance and benefits to the welfare of birds, measured by means of behaviors expressed by the hens. This project is complementary to the research project funded by FAPESP (Process no. 2010/19064-0). (AU)