Preference of Broiler Chicken for Different Light Colors in Relation to Age, Session of the Day and Behavior

Preference (PR) of broilers (Cobb) for four different Light Colors (LC); red [RD], white [WT], green [GN] and blue [BL]; 5 W at 20 lux were tested on group level at 3- 5 wks of age (AG) in the morning (MN), evening (EV) and night (NT) sessions of the day (SD). Six replicates of 5 birds were each allowed to move freely between 4 compartments illuminated continuously with a 4 hr light break. After one day of habituation to the test pen, location and behavior of birds were recorded once every 15 min. over 18 hrs/week. Twenty, mutually exclusive behaviors were assessed. Up to 21 days, no special PR was recorded. During the 3rd week, significantly high (p