Summary of :
House et al., 2021. A comparison of white/red and white/blue LED light fixtures on Pekin duck production, stress, and behavior, Br. Poult. Sci., Vol. 62, Issue 4.
Although ducks are highly photosensitive and need light for optimal performance and welfare, very few studies have investigated the artificial lighting needs of meat ducks. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of two commercially available luminaires (MLL and MLB) on duck performance, stress, and fear. The results of this study indicate a red-enhanced spectrum improves the welfare of Pekin ducks compared to a blue-enhanced spectrum by reducing physiological indicators of stress and fear responses.
BACKGROUND
Study Design
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of MLL and MLB luminaires on Pekin duck performance and welfare parameters. A total of 384 Maple Leaf Farms straight-run Pekin ducks were reared in floor pens two identical rooms with one room containing MLB luminaires and one room containing MLL luminaires. Ducks were reared from day of hatch to 35 days of age.
Two replicate trials were performed for this experiment. Between trials, room lighting conditions were switched to avoid room bias. Body weight was recorded on d0 and d35. All feed was weighed prior to being added to pen feeders. Plasma corticosterone, KLH, IL-12, heterophil: lymphocyte ratio, FCR, asymmetry, tonic immobility, and inversion data were collected on d35 of the trial.
Figure 1. Pekin ducks reared under MLL luminaires had reduced plasma corticosterone concentrations compared to ducks reared under MLB luminaires.
Figure 2. Pekin ducks reared under MLL luminaires had reduced latency to right from tonic immobility compared to ducks reared under MLB luminaires.
CONCLUSION: MLL Luminaire improves duck welfare
The results demonstrated that birds raised with MLLs had a lower plasma corticosterone concentration (P = 0.038) and heterophil: lymphocyte ratio (P = 0.029) at d35 compared to ducks reared with MLBs, indicating lower stress susceptibility in this group compared to MLB ducks. MLL ducks also had a lower latency to right from tonic immobility (P < 0.001), indicating reduced fear responses in this treatment group compared to MLB ducks.
There were no differences in d35 body weight, FCR, anti-KLH IgG titre, plasma IL-12 concentration, asymmetry, or inversion were observed (P > 0.05).
These results indicate MLL luminaires are more effective at enhancing Pekin duck welfare than MLB luminaires.
Source
- G.M. House, E. B. Sobotik, J. R. Nelson & G. S. Archer (2021) A comparison of white/red and white/blue LED light fixtures on Pekin duck production, stress and behaviour, British Poultry Science, 62:4, 467-473
