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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #333057
Title: Interactive effects of ambient temperature and light sources at high relative humidity on growth performance and blood physiological variables in broilers grown to 42 day of age

Author
item Olanrewaju, Hammed
item Purswell, Joseph - Jody
item Collier, Stephanie
item Branton, Scott

Submitted to: International Journal of Poultry Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/15/2016
Publication Date: 12/20/2016
Citation: Olanrewaju, H.A., Purswell, J.L., Collier, S.D., Branton, S.L. 2016. Interactive effects of ambient temperature and light sources at high relative humidity on growth performance and blood physiological variables in broilers grown to 42 day of age. International Journal of Poultry Science. 15(10):394-400.

Interpretive Summary: Poultry production requires a sustainable housing environment condition that provides adequate lighting, temperature, ventilation, and relative humidity and other factors that affect the chickens metabolism, which in turn is responsible for maximizing growth performance, and body heat to maintain normal physiological processes and functions. The interactive effects of 2 levels (Moderate=21.1, High=26.7 °C) of temperatures and 2 light sources [incandescent (ICD, Standard), and cool poultry specific filtered LED (Cool-PSF-LED)] at high relative humidity (80%) were evaluated on growth performance, blood physiological and biochemical assessment of broilers grown to 42 day of age. There was no effect of light sources and high humidity on all examined growth performance, blood physiological and biochemical variables, but high ambient temperature negatively impact some of these variables. The results indicated that even relatively small changes in the ambient temperature from the thermoneural zone 18-24 °C can have a negative impact on metabolism and performance. In addition, the light source and moderate ambient temperatures at high relative humidity as used in this study apparently did not act together or separately to affect plasma corticosterone concentrations, suggesting that these factors may not pose as stressors to modern heavy broiler chickens. It was concluded that the LED sources evaluated in this study may be suitable for replacement of ICD light source in commercial poultry facilities along with moderate temperature with or without high relative humidity to reduce energy cost and optimize production efficiency without compromising the welfare of broilers.

Technical Abstract: The interactive effects of ambient temperature and light sources at high relative humidity on growth performance and blood physiological reactions in broilers grown to 42 day of age were investigated. The experiment consisted of 2 levels (Moderate=21.1, High=26.7 °C) of temperatures and 2 light sources (ICD, PSF-LED) at high relative humidity (80%). A total of 532 1-d-old Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 8 environmentally-controlled rooms (22 males and 22 females chicks/room). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Light treatment started from d 1, while temperature and RH were applied continuously from d 22 through d 42. Both feed intake and birds’ weight were recorded on d 1, 21(d before initiation of the treatments), 28, and 42 for the growth performance. Also, wing brachial arterial blood (3 mL) samples were collected the same day before weighing from 6 (3 males/3 females) randomly selected chicks from each room. Treatments with only high ambient temperature significantly (P = 0.05) reduced BW, BW gain, feed intake, but no treatments effect were observed for FCR and mortality. Also, there was no effect of light sources and high humidity on all examined production variables. In addition, only treatments with high ambient temperature significantly (P = 0.05) increased Hb, Hct, McHc, and Osmo along with significantly (P = 0.05) reduced Na+. However, light sources and high humidity had no effect on all examined blood physiological variables. All acid-base changes during these combined treatments were still within the normal acid-base homeostasis and physiological ranges. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were not affected by treatments. It was concluded that the LED sources evaluated in this study may be suitable for replacement of ICD light source in commercial poultry facilities along with moderate temperature with or without high relative humidity to reduce energy cost and optimize production efficiency without compromising the welfare of broilers.