The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of application flash lighting program on performance and physiological status of naked neck chickens. Three hundred and sixty, four weeks old birds were randomly distributed into 6 experimental groups (3 replicates of 20 birds each) and housed in floor pens. The first group (control group, C), birds were maintained under 12 hrs and 16 hrs common light (CL) per day during the growing and laying periods, respectively. While, in the other groups, birds were exposed to light flashes for 10 minute/hour (T1), 20 minute/hour (T2), 30 minute/hour (T3), 40 minute/hour (T4) and 50 minute/hour (T5) for 12 and 16 hrs light/day during the growing and laying periods, respectively. Main results indicated that light flashes program significantly (P≤0.05) improved growth efficiency, carcass dressing percentage, breast percentage, abdominal fat percentage, egg laying rate, egg shell thickness, sexual parameters and healthy status. Also, estradiol hormone significantly (P≤0.05) increased by application of flash lighting program. However, long period of light flashes program recorded the worst values as in general performance and welfare (H / L ratio and tonic immobility values). Insignificant (P>0.05) effect were observed in drumstick, femur, liver, heart, gizzard, most blood components, egg shape or yolk, Haugh units, leg problems, plumage conditions, bone lengths, age at sexual maturity, genital organs and hatchability percentages. From an economical point of view, it is observed that the birds exposed to light flashes periods for 10 to 30 minutes/hour were superior to that of birds in other groups. Using short periods of light flashes might be suitable as alternative light to continuous or common light for managing Sharkasi chicken in sight and stimulation of internal organs or hormones release without oppositely affecting the physiological response, healthy traits and welfare. |
