- Field study results following >1 million broilers found ONCE Junglite recipe improves Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) by 2 percentage points and the European Broiler Index (EBI) rating by 3.5%
- Junglite is a light recipe for broilers that adapts lighting spectrum and intensity to the developmental stage of the birds, throughout the growth cycle.
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, announces the findings of an extensive field study indicating that the Junglite light recipe for broiler chickens improved the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) in chickens by 2 percentage points and the European Broiler Index (EBI) rating by 3.5% compares to broilers raised under different LED lights.
The scope of the field study
Over a period of six months in 2022, ONCE researchers examined the production results at 11 commercial farms across the USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America with various chicken breeds in different types of barns and climates. They followed the production of over one million birds, comparing birds raised under different kind of LED lights to birds raised using the Junglite recipe under similar conditions. The study focused on flocks with final weight targets ranging from 2.3 to 3 kilograms.
The impressive Junglite recipe results
The study found a 2 percentage point improvement FCR for birds raised using the Junglite recipe and a 3.5% average increase in the EBI, resulting in improved animal welfare and higher farm production. The EBI rating combines the daily weight gain of birds, the FCR and animal livability factors. The study indicated that farms with the lowest EBI benefited the most from higher improvements due to the Junglite recipe.
“Customers using our Junglite recipe observed less fearfulness, lowered stress, and a higher incidence of natural behaviors within each flock,” says Dr. Aaron Stephan, Director of Biological Research and Development at ONCE. “We suspect these results are from the enhanced animal activity and improved immune responses due to lowered stress.”
Daylight and the science of the Junglite recipe
Chickens perceive light differently than humans. Too much light can over activate chickens to a degree where they can turn aggressive, resulting in high-stress levels for broilers. Yet with too little daylight, chickens turn passive, making them more susceptible to sicknesses.
Junglite is a patent-pending light recipe made especially for broilers, adapting lighting spectrum and intensity to the age of the birds throughout the growth cycle . It uses full light spectrum and relative high intensity during brooding to enhance bird activity while emphasizing green and blue light spectrum during the grow-out phase to comfort chickens. The result is lighting that promotes desired bird behavior for lower stress levels and optimal, healthy growth.
Scientific insights mean ongoing improvement for customers
Comparing the results of standard LED lights to the Junglite recipe on such a large scale provides valuable input for ONCE. “This validated data gives us more insight into the optimal conditions for success using the Junglite recipe,” says Dr. Stephan. “We use this knowledge to continuously improve our lighting recipes and products and help our customers fine-tune their lighting to achieve optimal results on their farms. The results confirm that our ONCE Junglite lighting recipe for broilers increases animal welfare and farm production results.”
