Artificial LED lighting strips in replacement of fluorescent lamp for laying hens

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of artificial LED lighting strips (red LED) instead of fluorescent lamps in production laying hens lighting programs, by assessing performance parameters and eggs quality. 200 laying hens (Bovans White) were used, at 30 weeks of age, distributed in a completely randomized design with two treatments: Red LED strips and fluorescent lamp, with 10 repetitions of 10 birds each. Three 28-days cycles were evaluated. Performance evaluation and quality of the eggs were evaluated in the last three days of each cycle. The results were analyzed using the statistical program Assistat, carrying out an analysis of variance and in case of significant effect (p 0.05) in growth performance (feed intake, egg production / day and feed conversion kg / kg and kg / dz) and egg quality (average egg weight, Haugh unit, albumen %, yolk % and shell %) between treatments. Birds exposed to the red LED showed heavier eggs (p <0.05), compared to birds exposed to fluorescent lamp in the cycles evaluated. We conclude that the red LED strips can be used to replace fluorescent lamp, and present the same performance and higher average eggs weight, as it is an efficient and sustainable alternative for layers production.