Effect of light schedule during the brooding period on leg bone development and growth at slaughter age

C. W. van der Pol*†, R. Molenaar‡, C. M. Maatjens*†, I. A. M. van Roovert-Reijrink*, H. van den Brand†

*HatchTech B.V., P.O. Box 256, 3900 AG Veenendaal, the Netherlands; †Adaptation Physiology Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH Wageningen, the Netherlands; ‡Turi Foods, Devon Meadows, Australia.

We previously found that applying a light schedule during the early brooding period (0-4 days post-hatch) of a broiler chicken influences leg bone development at D4, in favour of the continuous light treatment. In the current study, effects of light schedule and transition from light to darkness (abrupt or gradual transition in 15 minutes) from D0 to D4 on leg bone development and body weight until slaughter age were investigated. Download the entire article through the link below.