Effect of Lighting Methods on the Production, Behavior and Meat Quality Parameters of Broiler Chickens

1. Introduction

Light plays one of the most important roles for living organisms. In the case of birds, it is more emphatic [1,2]. Several studies have proven that ideal lighting can greatly impact the physiological and production parameters, too [3,4,5,6]. Most experiments with light were conducted on light duration and intensity [7,8,9]. These are not the only important parameters during the rearing or breeding.

The lighting characteristics, such as wavelength, intensity, and duration, significantly impact the development, behavior, and welfare of poultry [10,11]. Ma et al. [12] found that laying hens prefer light intensities of 30 lux or less compared to 100 lux. Given a free choice, they spend most of their time at lower illumination levels (5 lux – 45.4%; 15 lux – 22.2%; 30 lux – 22.1%), while they spend less time at higher light intensities (100 lux – 10.4%) under fluorescent tube. Franco et al. [13] confirm that there are also animal welfare effects of lighting color. They have conducted studies with several light wavelengths and found that white light enhanced activity while blue light increased resting state and decreased stress levels in broilers. The white monochromatic LED light positively affects chicken meat, improving the amino acid content [14]. Green light has been shown to increase of growth hormone-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus and plasma growth hormone concentrations in broilers exposed to LED with different wavelengths. This is because green light activates the secretion of plasma melatonin, which is essential for photoelectric conversion [15]. The work of Bennato et al. [16] determined that lighting source did not affect carcass yield %, cooking loss %, pH after 24 h and total lipids parameters. Warm LED (K=2500-3000) could significantly increase the live weight and decrease the carcass weight and L* values compared to neon lighting. Neutral (K=3500-3700) and cool LED (K=5500-6000) significantly increased drip loss % compared to the value (0.90 ± 0.14 %) of neon. Colapietro et al. [17] measured similar parameters with control neon and three different LED lights. There were no differences in the case of moisture, total lipids, and dry matters, however in the neutral LED group cooking loss was significantly higher among the other experimental and control groups.

The lighting color is based on the wavelength of the light. Light wavelength gives lighting its color. The wavelength of visible light is between shorter invisible ultraviolet (UV) and longer invisible infrared rays (FIR), ranging from 380 nm to 740 nm. In contrast, the birds can perceive a wider spectrum of light [4,18,19,20,21]. Numerous studies have shown that birds can see in the UVA range [19,22].

Several studies are focused on the effects of different combined monochromatic light. Combining green and blue monochromatic light can improve broilers' stress response and immune function [23]. This mixed lighting benefits body weight, muscle growth and meat quality [24]. In green × blue mixed LED light, the final weight of birds was increased by 10.66% compared to white light [25]. The quality of the broiler meat can also be improved by green light. Green light reduced CL (cook loss) by 9.9%, increased pH by 1.69% and SF (shear force) by 13.9%, compared to white light. [25]. Green and blue light revealed higher pH, water-holding capacity, and protein content in the breast compared to red light. However, red light reduced cooking loss, lightness value (L*), shear value, and fat content [24].

Lighting also has an effect on behavior. In the case of behavioral studies, the position tracking of selected birds is being tracked automatically more frequently. The possibility of monitoring individual animals rather than entire flocks is one of the benefits of tracking technology. The transmitters or tags of the automated positioning system affixed to the birds should not impact the behavior, welfare, or productivity of the birds to assure the quality of the research [26].

In recent years, there has been much research to examine the effects of lighting on the behavior of poultry. Kristensen et al. [27] examined the free choice of the broilers among three lightings: one incandescent light and two fluorescent tubes (Biolux and warm-white tubes). There was no significant difference at the beginning of rearing, but in the second rearing stage, birds spent significantly more time under the two fluorescent lights. The preening was more intense in Biolux light than in a warm-white light. It is possible, because the UVA light that Biolux lighting produces has the potential to alter the reflectivity of feathers and the appearance of the testing rooms. Widowski et al. [28] also found that laying hens prefer a compact fluorescent lamp to an incandescent lamp when given a free choice.

Monochromatic green LED light has a positive effect on exploratory behavior. Hens spent more time pecking at objects. Compared to white light LED, the red light LED decreased aggression [29]. In contrast, Sultana et al. [30] found that the birds in green and blue monochromatic LED light showed more sitting and standing behavior, while red and red-yellow monochromatic LED light showed higher walking behavior.

Our aim was to understand the effects of complex spectrum LED lighting and incandescent light on broiler chicken growth, feed consumption, meat quality parameters, and behavior.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Experimental Design

All procedures relating to the use of live birds in this study were carried out with the knowledge and permission of the Institutional Animal Welfare Committee of Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences Szent István Campus, (certification No: MATE-MKK-2020/22) after the European guidelines for the care and use of animals in research [31].

Cobb 500 male chicks (n=400) were used in our experiment at the reference farm of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (Budapest, Pest County, Hungary; GPS coordinates: 47.500972 N, 19.304372 E). Birds were distributed among two groups with five replicates (n=40) each, as follows: incandescent light (IL) and light emitting diode (LED).

The incandescent light (IL) group used Sole^® light bulb (60 W, 50 Hz). The LED group used BrightLife^® LED (9 W, 100000 Hz). The duration and the intensity of lighting were the same in the two groups. The lighting period was decreasing for the first five days (Day1 L23:D1; Day2 L22:D2; Day3 L21:D3; Day4 L20:D4; Day5 L19:D5), followed by L18:D6 photo-period until 42nd day of life (light:dark hours; L:D). In the LED group, 5 min. sunrise and sunset periods were used. The lighting intensity were used 60 lux from 1 to 3 d, 40 lux from 4 to 10 d, 30 lx from 11 to 21 d, and 25 lux from 22 to 24 d of age. Both lights could be dimmabled to achieve the same intensity of light, which was used to reduce the brightness. Two different luxmeters were used to measure the luminous intensity (Voltcraft^®, LED luxmeter MS-200LED, and Voltcraft^®, luxmeter LX-10, Conrad Electronic SE, Germany, Hirschau). The difference between LED and incandescent light was in their wavelength. The color temperature of the incandescent light was 2700K. The color temperature of the LED lighting was 4000K. The wavelengths of lighting employed by the experimental groups are shown in Figure 1. The lighting parameters was comply with legal requirements, which also covers the length and intensity of the lighting [32].

The wavelength of light was measured at the same level as the broilers' heads by the Ocean Optics ® USB 2000+VIS-NIR instrument (Ocean Insight, Orlando, Florida, USA), which covers 350-1000 nm wavelength range. Illumination was measured in full light before stocking. The graph does not change with intensity, but the ratio does. At the beginning of rearing, the light intensity is higher, so the intensity values (Figure 1.) are higher. In the later stages of rearing, the light intensity decreases, so the intensity observed in Figure 1 also decreases. Despite the change in light intensity, the graph, i.e. the wavelength image, does not change.

In a trial, lasting 6 weeks (42 d), 1-day-old Cobb 500 (Cobb-Vantress Inc.) male chicks were purchased from a commercial hatchery. The male chicks were randomly housed in the two environmentally controlled areas (5x3 m2 (1.5 m width × 2 m depth)), and the density of broilers was 14 birds /m². The two groups were housed in the same barn. The barn was separated by a light trap wall in the middle section. Deep litter housing was applied in this trial, each experimental area contained fresh pine shavings at a depth of 8 cm, poultry tube feeders, and a 5-nipple drinking system [33]. Birds were provided a 3-phase feeding program (starter: 1-14 days; grower: 15-28 days; finisher: 29-42 days). Diets were formulated to match the dietary recommendations of the Hungarian Feed Codex [34] (Table 2). Crumbles were used for the starter feed, and whole pellets were used for the subsequent feeding. Water and feed were offered for ad libitum consumption. At the start of the experiment, the house temperature was kept at 33°C and then reduced as the birds aged. During the last 3 weeks, the temperature was above the recommendation (Table 1). This was especially true during the last week, when the birds were under heat stress and cooling was inadequate. The room temperature was recorded every day using a min/max thermometer (Kerbl, Buchbach, Germany).

Feed consumption of the animals was monitored weekly (Day 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42). The body weight was measured weekly (Day 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42). The weight of each animal was weighed, from which an average body weight was calculated.. The FCR of the birds was calculated from the results of body weight measurements and weekly feed consumption per group.

2.2. Mortality

The mortality is shown in Table 3. The mortality is shown as a percentage of the group and the mortality is shown as a number of individuals per group. On day 0, there were 40 birds in each replicate. By day 7, 1-1 chick had died in each group, i.e. an average of 0.5% mortality in each group. On the second week (days 7-14), 5-5 chicks died in both groups, giving a mortality of 3% by the second week. In the third week (day 14-21), 1 chick died in the LED group and 3 in the IL group. In the fourth week (day 21-28), 1 chick died in the LED group and 0 in the IL group. In the fifth week (day 28-35), no chicks died in either group. In the sixth week (day 35-42), 6-6 chicks died in both groups. At the end of rearing, the total mortality in the LED group was 7%, while in the IL group it was 7.5%. There was no statistical difference between the number of chicks in the groups at any week. All other calculated values (body weight, feed consumption, etc.) were corrected for mortality on each day.

2.2. Examination of Behavioral Characteristics

Behavior was measured by ethological observation, including the percentage of the day spent eating, drinking, resting, and interacting.

During the rearing, non-stop video recordings were made in 1-1 repetition of each group. We analyzed ten days from the first part of the raising period, 5 from the middle part, and three from the last part. The first 5-14 days were regarded as the first period, 21-25 days as the middle period, and 35-37 days as the last period. The whole pen area is clearly seen in the video.

The video recordings were analyzed by VLC media player software according to the following pattern: every 5 min during the illuminated period (18 h), the recording was stopped and the individuals taking part in the following activities were counted: eating time, drinking time, resting time, and entering into interactions (Figure 2), and subtracted from the total number of chickens. In this way, the number of chickens that engaged in activities other than standing, moving, and dust-bathing was also calculated.

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Eating time: the activity of standing next to the feeder and putting their head inside.

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Drinking time: the activity of standing under the drinker and raising their head to a nipple.

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Resting time: the activity when the animal was lying in one place.

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Interaction: defined as the activity of one or two birds jumping on each other.

The given time second was recorded in a 10-second time window, so that we can be sure that the activity actually exists (for example, in a still image it is difficult to determine which animal was moving). The daily results were averaged. The time spent on each activity was given as a percentage of the daily activity. The same person observed the video recordings every time.

2.3. Slaughter Procedure

The body weight of the broilers was measured before the slaughter. After weighing the broilers (n=20/experimental group), they were transported by hand to the experimental slaughterhouse located next to the rearing area. The extermination was cutting the carotid artery complex along the neck. A sharp knife was used to cut the neck. This complies with the animal experimentation regulation [35]. Their extermination and feathering were followed by repeated weighing (slaughtered body weight), as well as the visceration (whole carcass weight). The carcasses were cooled to a core temperature 4^oC.

During filleting and cutting, the breast fillet (boneless and skinless) and the leg (bone-in and skinned) were weighed.

The whole slaughter procedure was conducted according to the Hungarian National Standard practices.

2.4. Meat Quality Analysis

Meat quality tests were performed on 20-20 birds per group, 4-4 randomly selected individuals per replication. Both breasts of the chickens were used for the meat quality tests. There were used 10 half right breasts per group for pH, color, and meat composition parameters and other 10 half right breasts per group for drip loss analysis. Samples were homogenized for meat composition measurement. Another 20 half left breast samples per group were stored at – 20 0C before further laboratory testing (thawing loss, cooking loss, cooling loss, shear force).

The yield % was calculated using the formula shown where the whole carcass represents the slaughtered and gutted body:

yield % = whole carcass weight / slaughtered body weight x 100

(1)

A pH HANNA^® (Hanna Instruments INC, USA) pH meter was used to determine the pH values accurately. Prior to measurement, the meter was calibrated in pH 4.01 and pH 7.01 reference solutions for accurate measurement. Measurements were performed on breast meat samples at 45 min after slaughter (pH45) and on chilled bodies (4 ^oC) at 24 h after slaughter (pH24).

Color was measured on the fresh cut surface of the breast meat using the CIELAB system. The measurements were performed using a Minolta Chromameter CR 410 (Konica Minolta INC, Osaka, Japan) colorimeter with 50 mm head (2◦ standard observer, C light source) in the CIE L* a* b* color system, where L* is meat color lightness (0 = black; 100 = white), a* is redness (+ red; - green) and b* is yellowness (+ yellow; - blue) parameters. Before every measurement, the colorimeter was calibrated against a white calibration plate.

The overall color difference (ΔE*) between the groups was calculated using the formula below [36]:

ΔE*_ab = ((ΔL*)² + (Δa*)² + (Δb*))²1/2

(2)

The Lukács [37] visual perceptibility scale was used to assess the total color difference (ΔE*), where ΔE* less than 1.5-not perceptible; ΔE* from 1.5 to 3-perceptible; ΔE* from 3 to 6-well perceptible; ΔE* more than 6-great perceptibility.

After the color measurement, meat composition values of the breast samples were tested. The meat samples were homogenized with a hand-held blender (HR1600 Pro Mix Daily Collection, 550 W, Philips, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) and placed in a test vessel. After surface homogenization was determined using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR, Perkin Elmer DA6200) the chemical composition in percentage terms, like moisture, protein, fat, collagen, ash, and salt content.

Water-holding capacity was determined using breast, with the Honikel Test [37]. After cutting, a sample of around 100 g was placed in a 4 ^oC space on plastic hooks to hang by their own weight, excluding any external influence (except gravity). The mass of the samples was measured every 24 hours for three days. Drip loss was expressed as a percentage of the weight loss in 72 h compared with the initial sample weight.

After one month of freezing (-20 ^oC), all frozen samples were thawed at 4 ^oC for 12 h and at room temperature (22 ^oC) for 2 h. Additional meat quality (thawing loss, cooking loss, cooling loss, shear force).

Thawing loss was calculated as a percentage of weight loss before and after thawing. Cooking loss was determined as described by AMSA [38]. The meat samples were baked in a contact grill oven (Cucina HD 2430, Philips, Hamburg, Germany) to a core temperature of 72 ^oC. In the centre of the meat sample temperature was measured with a digital thermometer (DET1R, Voltcraft, Hirschau, Germany). After the heat treatment, the samples were re-weighed and gently cooled to room temperature (22 ^oC) for 1.5 h. Cooking loss was calculated as the weight loss percentage before and after heat treatment. Cooling loss was calculated as the weight loss percentage before and after cooling. From the roasted and cooled breasts, 2-2 test specimens of 1x1 cm pieces were cut. Shear force was measured at 5-5 points on each piece (n=200) using a TA.XT PLUS (Stable Micra System Ltd., Godalming, Surrey, UK) texture analyzer equipped with a Warner Bratzler blade. Each specimen was positioned perpendicular to the cutting blade, which passed through the specimen at a speed of 250 mm/min. The texture analyzer was equipped with a 50 kg cell and the force was calculated based on the force per unit time (g) diagram using Texture Exponent 32 (Stable Micro System Ltd., Godalming, Surrey, UK) software.

2.5. Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis was processed using the R software package (Core Team R, Vienna, Austria, 2013) [39]. The normal distribution of the groups was checked by Shapiro–Wilk test and F-test was prepared to test the homogeneity of variance. The statistical evaluation between the two groups was evaluated by T-test using, with two tailed test. The level of significance was based on p < 0.05. Correlation analysis was applied to the meat quality parameters, using Pearson's correlation with pairwise comparisons to determine simple correlation coefficients.

3. Results

3.1. Productions Parameters

As shown in Table 4. In each week of rearing, the birds in the LED group gained higher body weight. In the first five weeks, the two groups had a significant difference in body weights (p < 0.05). The average body weight difference is also shown in the Table 4, where the IL group had a higher initial weight (0.3g). In each additional week, the LED group achieved a higher weight, which was 43g at the end of week 6.

Feed consumption (Table 5) varied over the weeks. However, there was a significant difference in week 6, when the LED group consumed less feed than the IL group.

The results were significantly higher in the LED group than in the IL group on weeks 2 and 3. There were no significant differences between the two experimental groups from week 4.

3.2. Behavior Parameters

The results of the investigated behavioral parameters (average percentage of eating time (a), drinking time (b), resting time (c), other activities (d), and interactions (e) of the birds in the group) are presented in Figure 3 (a-e).

During the first part of the rearing period (days 5-14), the eating time was opposite trends between groups. On 7 of the 10 days studied, birds in the LED group spent more eating time. Drinking time, resting time and other activities also differ during the first part of the rearing period. On 6 out of the 10 days studied, birds in the LED group spent more eating and resting time, while birds in the IL group spent more time on other activities for 7 days. Interactions between birds were the same on day 12 of the first period, except for day 6, with the LED group spending more time interacting on all subsequent days, showing a significant difference on days 8 and 13.

In the middle of the rearing period, five days were tested (21-25 d). The eating time spent on all five days was significantly higher for the LED group. The LED group spent more drinking time on four days except day 24, with significant differences observed on days 22 and 25. The resting time was significantly higher in the IL group on all five days. The time spent on other activities was opposite trends between groups during the five days examined in the middle phase of the rearing. Bird interactions were higher in the LED group on all five days, showing a significant difference on day 22.

During the last part of the rearing period, three days were examined (35-37 d). The eating time on all examined days was greater for the LED group, with a significant difference on day 36. however drinking time and resting time have an opposite trends between groups. The time spent on other activities on the days studied was significantly higher in the IL group. No interaction was observed between birds in either group on days 35 to 37, with a great part of their resting time.

3.3. Meat Quality Parameters

The meat quality parameters are shown in Table 6. In the case of the meat quality parameters, there were no significant differences between the two experimental groups except the shear force. The yield %, relative breast % and relative thigh % were more favorable in the LED group. The drip loss % difference between groups is statistically insignificant.

Thawing loss, cooking loss, cooling loss and the total kitchen losses (including the thawing loss, cooking loss and cooling loss) is statistically insignificant differences between the groups. Shear force was significantly higher in the IL group (2098.82 g/s).There was no significant difference in any color parameter. The visual perceptibility scale was found: ΔE*=0,45, no difference is perceptible to the eye.

The meat composition parameters can be found in Table 7. No significant difference was observed for any of the parameters (moisture, protein, fat, collagen, ash, salt).

3.4. Results of Correlations between Meat Quality Meat Composition Parameters

The correlation analysis values are shown in Table 8. The orange part above the diagonal is IL correlations parameters, the blue part below the diagonal is LED correlations parameters. All values where negative or positive differences were obtained are indicated, but only the more important correlations are discussed in the results.

4. Discussion

There are many ways to improve broiler production efficiency, with varying degrees of success. In our study, a change in the housing technology was used instead of different feed ingredients and feed supplements. Our goal was to identify the impact of different light sources (LED and IL) on broiler production parameters, behavior, and meat quality.

Improving animal welfare parameters, which are so important for consumers, producers, and research, can also contribute to more efficient production. An observational study was carried out and compared with production values to support this. During the 6 weeks of rearing, the LED group consistently produced higher body weights with lower feed consumption. The sudden onset of warm weather can explain the decrease in feed intake in week 6 in both groups. The feed conversion ratio was significantly more favorable in some weeks in the LED group. This trend is similar to the results of Mendes et al [40] with compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and LED light sources. In the case of LED lighting, the birds generally had better production performance than in the CFL group. Similarly, Archer [41] and Olanrewaju et al. [42] described that birds reared under LED lighting had higher body weights and better feed conversion than those reared under incandescent lighting. In contrast, Rogers et al. [43] found no significant difference between the LED and incandescent light groups in the body weight and feed conversion parameters.

Our observational study presented that the behavioral characteristics of the LED group was favorable because the birds spent less time on other activities and spent more time on activities that increase production efficiency, such as eating and drinking time. This meant that broilers consumed more feed, but also improved the feed conversion due to the background digestive processes, such as rest, which promotes feed utilization and conversion [44]. This connection demonstrates that the feed efficiency can be increased by changing the housing parameters due to the habits and welfare of the birds.

Of the days studied, significantly more interactions were observed in the LED group on days 8, 13 and 22.This is assumed to represent a more active exercise of species-specific behavioral traits, not that the birds became more stressed. Archer [41] conducted a fear and stress susceptibility tests investigating the effects of incandescent light and two different LEDs. It was clearly demonstrated (p < 0.05) that birds in the two LED groups showed lower stress susceptibility and fear. In contrast, Olanrewaju et al. [42] found no significant difference in welfare indicators (eyes to BW, humoral immune response, ocular assessment, ocular histopathologic examination, etc.) between two LED groups and incandescent light group tested. Rogers et al. [44] and Archer [41], examining LED and compact fluorescent lamps, concluded that LED lighting does not increase, and in many cases decreases, stress levels in birds. These results also suggest that modern LED technology does not adversely affect bird welfare.

The changes in the middle and final stages of rearing seem to be significant on the time spent interaction, eating time, resting time and other activities, but this is perfectly normal. The difference between the middle and final stage of rearing is only 1.5 weeks, but the birds double their weight during this period. This means that they gain about 2 kg live weight instead of about 1 kg live weight. In addition, if the density of stocking was used in accordance with the rules, the area available for movement of the animals is significantly reduced by the final stage of rearing.

Whenever there is an increase in body weight due to changes in housing and feeding technology, the question always arises whether the visceral tract, carcass or even the amount of valuable meat parts has increased or decreased. The average difference at the end of rearing of 43 g body weight in the present study does not significant difference. However, for a broiler flock with an average weight of 2500 g, calculated with the weight of the two study groups for 100000 birds, this represents a live weight surplus of 4.3 t, which could be used in the food chain during one rotation of a given flock. The growth rate of poultry and its breast yield usually does not leave the histological condition of the muscle intact and the physiological background processes are also subject to change [45]. The rheological properties of the breast meat of broilers, which is considered to be tender, are influenced by the age of the animal and thus, in a variable way, by the moisture content of the product [46].

In many cases, the conditions during the meat maturation process, the amount of lactic acid accumulated and the timing of its production are responsible for the change in protein condition, which in many cases also determines the shear force value. However, our study found no difference in pH values, but a significant difference in shear force values was detected (p<0.001).

The tenderness of meat is important for both the processing industry and consumers, as the quality of processed products is determined by the water-holding capacity of meat proteins during both storage and possible heat treatment [47]. If a sudden decrease in pH is observed at the beginning of the post-mortem period (pH45), this will result in shrinkage of myofibrils and affect protein function, leading to a decrease in the water-holding capacity of proteins [48] There is a strong correlation with meat tenderness due to water loss during processing or cooking [49]. According to Vaskoska et al. [50], although the effect of thermal denaturation on the structure and quality of different types of muscle fibers is not fully understood, it is known that denaturation dynamics can be used to infer microstructural changes and cooking losses, which may be influenced by the type and characteristics of the muscle fiber and by pH alone or in combination with the previous one.

In our study, the statistical differences between the two groups and the correlation values between the parameters in each group also show the relationships discussed in the previous paragraph. In the LED group, a strong negative correlation was observed between collagen and cooling loss (r= -0.95), while a strong positive correlation was observed between collagen and shear force (r=0.92). Concerning collagen, two correlations were discovered that could suggest further research opportunities: in the LED group, the relative breast (r=0.99) and thigh (r=0.91) values show a strong positive correlation with the collagen content of the breast. These correlations could not detect in the IL group, however, there based on the correlation analysis the effect of pH₄₅ prevailed much more: a close negative correlation could be observed with the ash content of the breast meat of the IL group (r=-0.95), a moderate negative correlation with the lightness of the meat (L *) (r=-0.45), and a medium strength correlation concerning thawing loss (r=0.64).

While there was no statistically verifiable difference in pH values and time of pH reduction between the LED and IL groups, the LED group performed better in terms of consumer preferences for overall kitchen losses and tenderness (p < 0.001), which are both important. Less kitchen losses (N.S.) and significantly lower Warner-Bratzler shear force values were detected (p < 0.001). In our study the drip loss % was higher for the LED group. The difference is not considered significant because the cooling technology has a strong influence on this parameter, in large-scale slaughterhouses the whole carcass is cooled, so this value is difficult to reconcile. Our results are fully supported by the experiment of Kim et al. [14], where the shear force values in the LED group were significantly (p < 0.001) lower than in the incandescent light group, the cooking loss was higher in the incandescent light group, and there was no difference in water-holding capacity.

The changes in the sensory properties of poultry meat are particularly important. In addition to tenderness, the color of meat products is also a very important element, a primary component of their appearance and a significant influence on purchasing behavior. Defects in meat quality can have a major impact on color in addition to tenderness/softness and shear force values, which are associated with selection work based on broilers' growth rate and muscle development [51].

No significant difference was found in color between the two groups (L*, a*, b*), and the visual perceptibility scale also proves (ΔE*=0.45) that the difference is not perceptible for consumers according to the visual perceptibility scale of Lukács [36]. Ke et al. [52] investigated different (white, red, green, blue) monochromatic LED lights. Compared to our study, a darker breast was obtained using the monochromatic light, with L* values ranging from 50.09 to 53.32, while in our study they were 60.11 and 59.8. In our case, the light PSE-like meat can be explained by the warm weather in the week before slaughter, which kept our birds under heat stress. Kannan et al. [53] concluded that higher plasma corticosterone levels were associated with lighter PSE breast and thigh meat. In breast meat from heat-stressed turkeys, a greater rate of postmortem pH reduction was detected, resulting in paler meat than in non-stressed turkeys [54]. Thus, seasonal heat stress may play a role in the development of lighter meat by accelerating postmortem metabolism and biochemical processes in muscle.

5. Conclusions

In conclusion, LED lighting, becoming increasingly popular due to its energy efficiency, can positively change animal production efficiency, behavior, and important characteristics for meat consumers. LED corresponds to high quality production with favorable animal welfare parameters and is more sustainable from an economic and environmental point of view. Interactions between birds were higher in the LED group, meaning this species-specific behavior was practised more. This suggests that the birds felt more comfortable, i.e. animal welfare was improved. It is recommended that the poultry sector pay attention to other lighting parameters (e.g. spectral composition, frequency), not only lighting duration and intensity, to enhance welfare and possibly improve production indicators. The adequate lighting for birds can improve the feed conversion ratio without negatively affecting meat quality characteristics. Although the results show that feed consumption varied over the weeks, there was a significant difference on week 6, where the LED group consumed less feed than the IL group. In addition, body weight and feed conversion ratio were more favorable in the LED group each week, with significant differences in several cases. Feed conversion was significantly better in the LED group in weeks 2 and 3. There was no difference in mortality between the groups. In the LED group, the kitchen losses were more favorable and the shear force was also lower.

Using LED in broiler production does not decrease the efficiency compared to conventional lighting, and has a positive effect on several parameters. For further experiments, it is recommended to try LEDs with different spectra (including UV and Far-Red), testing similar production and meat quality parameters.