Effects of Photoperiod and Number of Feeding Times on Productivity, Some Blood Biochemical Components, Physiological Responses, and Sustainability of Fayoumi Laying Hens Under Heat Stress | ||
| Fayoum Journal of Agricultural Research and Development | ||
| Volume 39, Issue 3, October 2025, Pages 522-539 PDF (517.87 K) | ||
| Document Type: Research articles. | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/fjard.2025.387430.1123 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Abdelazeem S. Abdelazeem* 1; Waleed I. A. Zaid2; Magdy S. H. Hassan3; Ali M. Abdel-Azim4 | ||
| 1Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University. | ||
| 2Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Millawi, Minya Governorate, Egypt | ||
| 3Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| 4Poultry Production Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study investigated the effects of three photoperiods (L1: 5 am-10 pm; L2: 5 pm-10 am; L3: 6 am-11 pm) and three feeding frequencies (F1: once; F2: twice; F3: thrice daily) on productivity, blood biochemical components, physiological responses, and sustainability of 270 Fayoumi laying hens (18 weeks old) over an 18-week period under Egyptian summer conditions, employing a 3×3 factorial design. The objective was to identify optimal management strategies for this indigenous breed during heat stress. Results revealed that L2 significantly enhanced egg production (40.15%) and feed conversion ratios (total and for egg production: 3.83 and 4.71, respectively) compared to L1 and L3. Delivering feed 3 times per day (F3) increased final live body weight (1802 g) but did not affect egg production or feed efficiency. The L2 lighting schedule, particularly in combination with twice-daily feeding (L2×F2), consistently yielded superior egg production (40.88%), feed efficiency for eggs (4.84), and thermoregulatory responses (lowest respiratory rate and cloacal temperature). Conversely, L1 lighting, especially with single feeding (L1×F1), resulted in higher serum albumin (1.88 g/dl) and albumin/globulin ratios (0.68). While L2-based strategies demonstrated enhanced productive sustainability, some blood biochemical parameters (e.g., elevated AST in L2×F2) indicated potential metabolic adjustments. These findings highlight the L2×F2 regime as a promising approach for improving Fayoumi hens' performance and resilience during heat stress, though careful monitoring of physiological status is advised. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Productivity; blood biochemical components; thermoregulation; sustainability; Fayoumi laying hens | ||
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