Kusuda Shingo, Oshima Chikamitsu, Saneyasu Takaoki, Honda Kazuhisa
Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.
Ishiifoods Co., Ltd., Tokushima 779-3224, Japan.
J Poult Sci. 2024 Mar 31;61:2024009. doi: 10.2141/jpsa.2024009. eCollection 2024.
Wooden breast myopathy and leg weakness are serious problems in the broiler chicken industry. The color and intensity of light in the chicken habitat affect behavior, including walking of chicks. The present study was conducted to determine whether periodic and local light switching induces locomotion and affects wooden breast myopathy and leg weakness in broiler chicks. Thirty five-day-old broiler chicks were assigned to two pens (4.72 m × 0.73 m each). In the control pen, chicks were reared under three white-light emitting diode (LED) lights until they were 42 days old. In the other pen, chicks were reared under a white LED light located in the center, supplemented with blue or red LED lights on either side of the pen. The color of the LED lights changed every 3 h, from blue and red to red and blue. From 21 d of age, all LED lights were changed and only one of the side lights was turned on every 3 h. From 35 d of age, all three white lights were turned on until 42 d of age. Periodic and local color switching and on-off switching significantly induced locomotion in broiler chicks. Wooden breast scores tended to improve with light-switching treatment. The tibia length, diameter, and breaking strength were not significantly affected. This is the first report showing that locomotion may be induced in broiler chicks by periodic and local lighting switching, and may be useful for improving the health status of broiler chicks.
木胸肌病和腿部无力是肉鸡行业面临的严重问题。鸡舍内光照的颜色和强度会影响鸡的行为，包括雏鸡的行走。本研究旨在确定周期性局部光照切换是否会诱导肉鸡雏鸡运动，并影响木胸肌病和腿部无力情况。将35日龄的肉鸡雏鸡分配到两个鸡笼（每个鸡笼4.72米×0.73米）。在对照鸡笼中，雏鸡在三个白色发光二极管（LED）灯下饲养至42日龄。在另一个鸡笼中，雏鸡在位于中央的白色LED灯下饲养，鸡笼两侧辅以蓝色或红色LED灯。LED灯的颜色每3小时变化一次，从蓝色变为红色，再从红色变为蓝色。从21日龄起，更换所有LED灯，每3小时只打开一侧的灯。从35日龄起，打开所有三个白色灯直至42日龄。周期性局部颜色切换和开关切换显著诱导了肉鸡雏鸡的运动。木胸肌病评分经光照切换处理后有改善趋势。胫骨长度、直径和抗折断强度未受到显著影响。这是首份表明周期性局部光照切换可能诱导肉鸡雏鸡运动，且可能有助于改善肉鸡雏鸡健康状况的报告。
