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Chickens prefer different light conditions to meet their natural behavioural needs
Chickens prefer variation in light conditions in their environment, to accommodate their preferences in relation to natural behaviours such as foraging and resting. This can be done by creating functional areas in commercial houses, with dedicated zones for resting and more active behaviours. This is one of the results of the Functilight project of Wageningen University & Research.
Jerine van der Eijk studied the preferences of fast- and slower-growing broiler chickens, and of brown and white layer pullets, for different light intensities and spectra. ‘We showed that these preferences are dependent on age, time of the day and breed’, says Van der Eijk. ‘Both broilers and layers prefer brighter conditions for active behaviours such as eating, drinking and foraging and dimmer conditions for resting. Young broilers further preferred light with more green colors.
Light is a crucial aspect
To improve and guarantee broiler and laying hen welfare it is essential to meet their behavioural needs in their housing conditions. Light is a crucial aspect of broiler and laying hen farm management and has been shown to affect broiler and laying hen welfare. However, until now, information regarding chickens’ preferences for light intensity and spectrum was scarce. While their preferences may help to design the best environment for the chickens, contributing to animal-centered farming.
The findings of Van der Eijk and colleagues led to two scientific publications published in Scientific Reports and Applied Animal Behaviour Science.