Effect of fluctuate lighting on performance of laying hens

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of fluctuate lighting on performance of laying hens. Two programs were applied with 16 hours daily lighting: step-up (normal) lighting program as the control treatment and a fluctuate lighting program of 2 W/m(2) for 45 min and 6 W/m(2) for 15 min. Egg weight, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, hen-day egg production and hen-housed egg production of the laying hens were recorded for 46 weeks. No significant difference for hen-day and hen-housed egg production between the step up and fluctuate lighting programs (P>0.05) were found. However, fluctuate lighting program resulted in a significant increase in egg weight (P<0.05). Moreover, hens in the fluctuate lighting program consumed significantly less amount of feed and had a better feed conversion ratio than hens in the step-up lighting program (P<0.01). The results of the present study indicate that fluctuate lighting can be used for a profitable egg production.