Lighting
period (photoperiod) is one of the most important environmental factors
affecting on animals. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effect of lighting
period on efficient production performance of Japanese quails under controlled
environmental conditions via the egg yield and behavioural characteristics. 48
female and 12 male Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were randomly
divided into two groups with two replicates. A scheduled lighting program was
applied as 7 Light (L): 17 Dark (D), 6L:18D, 5L:19D, 4L:20D, 3L:21D for
five-day periods along 25 days in total using a metal halide lamp with an
intensity of light at 41.5 lx to the trial group. At the end of observation,
162 eggs without any damage were obtained from the birds exposed to scheduled
lighting program whereas the mean number of damaged eggs/total number of
eggs (DE/TE) ratio was 37% in control
group exposed to normal daylight length. The number of damaged eggs was
correlated with the total number of eggs (p<0.01 vs. control) and egg weight
(p<0.0001) in trial group. Egg weight was also found to correlate with body
weight (p<0.01 vs. control). During observational experiments any
significant difference was recorded in wing stretching, drinking and playing in
both groups. However, birds exposed to shortened light headed for less feeding
and laying (p<0.05 vs. control) and had leaning to aggressive behaviours
such as shouting or stridulating, feather and egg pecking and cannibalism. In
conclusion, adding darkness to lighting program contributes energy saving with
the equal or even improved production performance in aviaries.
Birincil Dil | İngilizce |
---|---|
Konular | Mühendislik |
Bölüm | Makaleler |
Yazarlar | |
Yayımlanma Tarihi | 19 Ağustos 2018 |
Yayımlandığı Sayı | Yıl 2018Sayı: 2 |