Effect of Ambient Temperature and Light Intensity on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Heavy Broiler Chickens at 56 Days of Age

The effects of ambient temperature, light intensity and their interaction on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers were investigated in 2 trials. The experiment was consisted of a factorial arrangement of treatments in a randomized complete block design. The 9 treatments consisted of 3 levels (Low = 15.6, Moderate = 21.1, High = 26.7 C) of temperatures from d 21-56 d of age and 3 levels (0.5, 3.0, o 20 lx) of light intensities from 8-56 d of age at 50% RH. Five hundred and forty Ross 708 chicks were randomly distributed into 9 environmentally controlled chambers (30 males and 30 females chicks/chamber) at 1 d of age. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Birds were provided a four phase-feeding program (starter: 1 to 14 d, grower: 15-28 d, finisher: 29-42 d and withdrawal: 43-56 d). At 56 d of age, both feed intake and birds’ weight were recorded for the growth performance. Also, 20 (10 males and 10 females) birds from each chamber were processed to determine weights and yields. Broilers subjected to high ambient temperature of 26.7 C had significantly (P<0.05) lower BW, BWG, FI, carcass weight and pectoralis major o and minor weights along with a significant (P<0.05) increased in FCR when compared with low and moderate ambient temperatures broilers. Plasma corticosterone concentrations were not statistically affected by temperature, light intensity or their interaction, suggesting an absence of stress. These results indicate that exposure of modern heavy weight broilers to high ambient temperature of 26.7 C in comparison o with low and moderate ambient temperatures has a negative effect on growth performance and carcass characteristics, suggesting that they need to be grown under lower ambient temperature than previously reported.