THE EFFECT OF PHOTOPERIOD, LIGHT INTENSITY AND WATTAGE POWER ON PERFORMANCE OF DANDARAWI CHICKEN

El-Sheikh, T.M., A.M. El-Gammal, M.N. Makled

Abstract
A total number of 840 birds were used to study the effect of photoperiod, light intensity and wattage power on performance and blood constituents of Dandarawi fowl. The birds were classified into seven groups, 2 for the light intensity, 2 for photoperiod, 2 for wattage power and 1 was used as a control. The traits studied were sexual maturity, egg production and blood constituents. Light intensity of 80 luxes during growing period reduced body weight at sexual maturity than that obtained by using 20 and 5 luxes, respectively. The same trend was observed with first egg weight. The high intensity during rearing period delayed the sexual maturity, since group held at 20 luxes had the youngest age, while the group held at 80 luxes had the oldest age. The age at sexual maturity decreased as the photoperiod during growing period increased. The egg weight at sexual maturity increased as the photoperiod decreased. Body weight and age at sexual maturity decreased as the wattage power increased. The hen housed production and survivor egg laying rate decreased as light intensity increased. The performance was better under low light intensity of 15 luxes. The groups which illuminated to 16 hours produced egg production more than that illuminated to 18 and 20 hours. Hen housed production and survivor egg production for the groups exposed to 18 and 20 hours was less than that of the control. The hen housed production and survivor production were decreased as wattage power increase.

Key words: Dandarawi fowl, photoperiod, light intensity and wattage power, egg production