Effect of light sources and light intensity on growth performance and behaviour of male turkeys

1. This study consisted of two experiments: the first was conducted with Large White turkey males during the spring and summer (experiment 1) and the second during the autumn and winter (experiment 2). When 56d of age, the birds were assigned to light-controlled pens and exposed to continuous illumination. Light sources used were incandescent, daylight fluorescent, warm fluorescent or high pressure sodium vapour lamps at light intensities of 10–8 or 86–1 lux. 2. Results obtained showed that the light sources used had no significant effects on growth performance, efficiency of food utilisation, feather scores or live bird quality of Large White turkeys. Social encounters were higher in birds reared under fluorescent and sodium vapour lights and mortality was higher in birds under fluorescent lights in experiment 1. Behaviour, feather scores, live bird grade and mortality were unaffected by light source treatments in experiment 2. 3. Light intensity had no significant effect on growth, efficiency of food utilisation, feather scores or bird market quality. Social encounters and mortality were higher in males exposed to 86.1 lux of light intensity.