Significance of Light in Poultry Production: A Review

Lighting is an essential for development and functioning of reproductive system and growth. It is a powerful exogenous factor in control of many physiological and behavioral processes. Cold Cathode and Fluorescent bulbs are mostly used as light and it affected by variables like lamp type, reflectance of the floor, walls, ceiling and height intensity of affect. incandescent or fluorescent lights may be used. Lighting patterns for broilers are aimed for stimulating and controlling feed intake. Light as an environmental factor consists of three different aspects like intensity, duration, and wavelength. Broiler behavior is affected by light intensity. Lighting duration is largely dependent upon the age of chickens involved and type of housing in use. Colour of light dictated by wavelength and it exerts variable effects on poultry performance. Darkness is an important to growth and health of broilers as light. It is hypothesized that short photoperiods early in life will reduce feed intake and limit growth.