The Influence of Intermittent Light on Growth Performance and Other Traits in Young Chicks

Abstract

Treatments of 1/2L:3D, (1/2 hour light and 3 hours darkness), 1L:3D, 1L:5D lighting cycles and continuous light were used in three trials to grow 900 straight-run chicks from 7 to 35 days of age. Chicks on intermittent light had significantly (P < 0.05) greater gains than those on continuous light. There was no significant difference among treatments with intermittent light. Feed conversion for 1/2L:3D and 1L:5D treatments was significantly better than for the other two treatments. Weights of crop and gizzard contents at the end of dark period (8:00 a.m.) were not significantly different among treatments; however, at the end of the light (feeding) period, at 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., chicks on intermittent light generally had significantly more feed and fluid in the crop, but not in the gizzard, than chicks on continuous light. The crop (tissue) was generally significantly heavier in chicks from the intermittent light treatments. There was no significant difference among treatments for gizzard (tissue) weight.