The effects of different monochromatic lighting applications on growth and some reproductive traits of Japanese quail

Lighting is one of the most important environmental factors in poultry, and studies have focused on light intensity, light source, lighting period and light color in many years. In recent years, studies have been carried out on monochromatic light programs realized with LED lighting at different wavelengths. The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of white (control group), green (560 nm), blue (480 nm), red (660 nm) and yellow (600 nm) monochromatic lighting applications on growth and egg yield characteristics of Japanese quails. A total of 450 quail chicks obtained from a more basic flock were used in the study. The same lighting programs were applied to the quails during both the fattening and egg production periods. Weekly live weights of quails were determined individually during the six-week fattening period. When the animals reached the age of six weeks, 36 female and 12 male birds were selected by chance from each experimental group and they were transferred to breeder cages that housed here until the age of 24 weeks, and their daily egg production and sexual maturity ages were determined. Internal and external egg quality characteristics were determined in eggs collected for three consecutive days when quails were 10, 14, 18 and 22 weeks old. While the mean of those exposed to blue, green and yellow light were found to be higher in terms of live weight, the highest mortality occurred in those who were illuminated with red monochromatic lighting at different wavelengths (P<0.05). There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of viability during the egg laying period (P>0.05). According to the growth curve analyzes performed using the Gompertz growth model, the mean mature weight parameter averages of the quails treated with yellow monochromatic lighting were found to be higher than the other groups (P<0.05). The difference between the experimental groups in terms of 24-week egg production of quails was statistically significant (P<0.05). The highest egg production average was found in the experimental group to which red monochromatic lighting was applied, and the experimental groups exposed to yellow and white light had higher averages than those that were exposed to blue and green lighting. As a result, it was determined that the monochromatic light source directly affects the yield characteristics of Japanese quails, egg yield traits are positively affected as the infrared is approached in the light spectrum, and on the contrary, the growth traits are positively affected as the ultraviolet is approached in the light spectrum.