Stress and fear responses of slow-growing broiler chickens to light stimulation initiated at different phases of embryonic development
Oluwadamilola Moyin Oso, Kossi Metowogo, Benjamin Adjei Mensah, Oyegunle Emmanuel Oke, Kokou Tona
Abstract
Photo-incubation can influence the fear and stress responses of poultry. However, it is unclear how photo-stimulation initiated at different phases of development influences the welfare status of slow-growing broiler birds. 500 Sasso eggs were assigned to 4 treatments; some were incubated in the dark throughout incubation (TA), while TB, TC and TD were photo-stimulated (12L:12D) from days 1, 7, and 14 of incubation, respectively, until hatch using a 6,500k LED at 788 clux intensity. Birds were raised in 5 replicates per treatment with 16 birds per replicate using a 6,500k LED (at 28 clux) and a photoperiod of 16L:8D. Fear (emergence, tonic immobility, isolation and inversion tests) and stress response (physical asymmetry) of 10 birds per treatment were examined. At the end of the three-week brooding, all parameters measured were not significantly influenced (P > 0.05) by the onset of photo-incubation. At slaughter age (12 weeks), physical asymmetry was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA compared to the other treatments. The frequency of isolation vocalisation was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in TB compared to TA, and latency to rightness during tonic immobility was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA compared to the other treatments. Latency to emerge was significantly longer (P < 0.05) in TA compared to TC and TD. The frequency of wing flaps during inversion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in TA and TD. Conclusively, photo-incubating eggs reduce stress and fear, and initiating photo-incubation during the first phase of incubation is more beneficial.
Keywords
References
Archer GS (2018) Color temperature of light-emitting diode lighting matters for optimum growth and welfare of broiler chickens. Animal 12:1015-1021.
Archer GS, Mench JA (2013) The effects of light stimulation during incubation on indicators of stress susceptibility in broilers. Poultry Science 92:3103–3108.
Archer GS, Mench JA (2014) Natural incubation patterns and the effects of exposing eggs to light at various times during incubation on post-hatch fear and stress responses in broiler (meat) chickens. Applied Animal Behavior Science 152:44-51.
Archer GS, Shivaprasad HL, Mench JA (2009) Effect of providing light during incubation on the health, productivity, and behavior of broiler chickens. Poultry Science 88:29-37.
El-Sabrout K (2017) Effect of LED lighting during incubation of fayoumi eggs on hatchability and chick performance. Kafkas Universitesi Veteriner Fakultesi Dergisi 23:1007-1009.
Hannah WA, Astatkie T, Rathgeber BM (2019) Hatch rate of laying hen strains provided a photoperiod during incubation. Animal 14:353-359.
Huth JC, Archer GS (2015) Comparison of two LED light bulbs to a dimmable CFL and their effects on broiler chicken growth, stress, and fear. Poultry Science 94:2027-2036.
Jones RB (1986) The tonic immobility reaction of the domestic fowl: a review. World’s Poultry Science Journal 42:82-96.
Leung B, Forbes MR, Houle D (2000) Fluctuating asymmetry as a bioindicator of stress: Comparing efficacy of analyses involving multiple traits. American Naturalist 155:101–115.
Newberry RC, Blair R (1993) Behavioral-responses of broiler-chickens to handling - effects of dietary tryptophan and 2 lighting regimens. Poultry Science 72:1237-1244.
Oso OM, Metowogo K, Oke OE, Tona K (2022a) Evaluation of light emitting diode characteristics on growth performance of different poultry species: a review. World’s Poultry Science Journal 78:337-351.
Oso OM, Metowogo K, Oke OE, Tona K (2022b) Influence of LED bulb on reproductive and production performance of different poultry species: a review. World's Poultry Science Journal 78:515-529.
Ozkan SS, Yalcin E, Babacano˘glu S, Uysal F, Karada S, Kozanoglu H (2012) Photoperiodic lighting (16 hours of light: 8 hours of dark) programs during incubation: 2. Effects on early post hatching growth, blood physiology, and production performance in broiler chickens in relation to post hatching lighting programs. Poultry Science 91:2922–2930.
Ozkan S, Yalcin S, Babacanooglu E, Kozanooglu H, Karada S, Uysal F (2012) Photperiodic lighting (16 hours of light: 8 hours of dark) programs during incubation: 1. Effects on growth and circadian physiological traits of embryos and early stress response of broiler chickens. Poultry Science 91:2912–2921.
Peixoto MR, Karrow NA, Newman A, Widowski TM (2020) Effects of maternal stress on measures of anxiety and fearfulness in different strains of laying hens. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7:128.
Rogers LJ (2000) Evolution of hemispheric specialization: advantages and disadvantages. Brain and Language 73:236–253.
Submitted date:
04/30/2022
Reviewed date:
06/11/2022
Accepted date:
06/13/2022