effect of feeding and lighting regimens on some behavioral patterns and performance of broiler chicks

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of feeding and lighting regimens on behavior and performance of broiler chicks. A sample of 150 Arbor Acres were used and divided into 3 equal groups, each of 50 chicks. The 1st group [G.1] received a continuous lighting and ad. libitum feeding acts as control, the 2nd group [G.2] permitted ad. libitum feeding with only day light, while the 3rd group [G.3] received a continuous lighting with intermittent feeding [three time daily, each of 2 hours]. The results obtained indicated that there was a significant [p <0.05] increase in the food-searching behaviors as feeding frequency, feed bout, and ground pecking by birds with intermittent feeding [G.3], while there was no effect of light regimen on these patterns. There was no significant difference in the final body weight gain between groups although birds in groups 2 and 3 consumed significantly [p <0.05] less food [3629.6, 3405 and 3420 g] and convert their feeding more efficiently [0.412, 0.423 and 0.421] than those in control group. Regarding the rest and comfort behaviors, there was no significant effect of feeding or lighting regimens except that the resting and ground scratch% were significantly [p <0.05] higher in group 3 than other groups. There was no significant effect of both treatments on agonistic behaviors except on fight and feather pecking patterns as their occurrences were higher between birds in group 3 than in the other two groups [1 and 2]