Preference of Broiler Chicks for Color of Lighting and Feed

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to study the preference of broiler chicks for colored feed (white, yellow, orange, red and green) in various lighting colors (yellow, orange, red and green) under dim (1.5lx), medium (9lx) and high (65lx) light intensities at 7, 14 and 21 days of age. The number of active (standing or walking) chicks, the number of droppings in each light color zone, and the weight of each colored feed as well as accumulated feed consumed were recorded. The proportion of the birds which preferred to walk or stay in green light zone was significantly greater (by approximately 3 folds) than the birds on other colored light zones (P<0.01). The number of droppings was significantly greater on green light zone for pooled data over age and light intensity (P<0.05). The consumption of green feed was significantly differed for various light colored light zones (P<0.05). The feed consumption for any feed color was generally higher (except for orange feed) on green light zone. The mean green feed consumption was significantly higher on green floor zone compared to orange feed. It was concluded that the broiler chicks prefer green lighting as well as green feed over orange, yellow, red lights and white, orange, yellow and red feeds, respectively. These results may be beneficial with respect to managerial application especially for crucial few weeks of broiler rearing period.