The current study was conducted to assess the impact of diferent LED light colors on welfare indicators
in Muscovy ducks. These welfare parameters encompassed growth performance, specifc behaviors, tonic immobility
(TI), feather score, haematological, and serum biochemical parameters. Eighty-four healthy unsexed Muscovy duck‑
lings aged two weeks were randomly assigned to four groups (3replicates/group; each replicate contains 7 birds)
based on diferent LED light colors. The frst group was raised under white light, the second under red light, the third
under blue light, and the fourth under yellow light. To assess the impact of various LED light colors on welfare, growth
performance indicators (body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio) were measured.
Behavioral patterns including feeding, drinking, standing, walking, sitting, feather pecking, and other activities were
recorded. Tonic immobility test (TI) and feather condition scoring were conducted at 3, 6, and 10 weeks of age. At
the end of the study blood samples were collected for hematological and serum biochemical analyses.
Results The results revealed that using blue, yellow, and red colors had no adverse efect on the fnal body weight
of the ducks (P>0.05). Unlike to red light, blue light signifcantly reduced feather pecking, TI time and cortisol concen‑
trations and improved the feather condition score (P≤0.05).
Conclusions The current fndings suggest that the application of blue light efectively improves welfare indices
and has no detrimental impact on the growth performance of Muscovy ducks thereby positively contributing to their
welfare |
