Effect of Light and Stocking Density Regimen on Welfare and Zoo‐Technical Performance of Broilers Under Tropical Conditions

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of stocking density (SD) under three different colored light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) on production and welfare in tropical conditions. A total of 1224‐day‐old straight‐run broiler chicks were divided into nine groups, each with four replicates, and housed in light‐proof rooms for a period of 42 days. They were raised under three different SDs: 12 kg/m 2 (26 chicks/replicate), 15 kg/m 2 (33 chicks/replicate), and 20 kg/m 2 (43 chicks/replicate), and three LED light colors: white (W), blue (B), and green (G). The production, welfare parameters, and litter material quality were assessed. Body weight and gait score were improved ( p < 0.05) in low SD birds, but the main effect of LED light was inappreciable on growth parameters. The main effect of light color and SD had no significant difference ( p > 0.05) on welfare indices. However, there was a significant interaction effect of light color and SD on the feather score of birds in this study. Similarly, light color had a significant ( p < 0.05) influence on the globulin content, and the highest content was observed in the W group, followed by the G and B groups. The litter moisture content increased significantly ( p < 0.05) as the SD increased from 12 to 20 kg/m 2 . The study concluded that birds under W color LED light and low SD could attain better growth without impairing welfare.