Effects on commercial broiler chicks of constant exposure to ultraviolet light from insect traps

Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology Research, USDA-ARS, Gainesville, Florida 32604, USA. jhogsette@gainesville.usda.ufl.edu

Constant exposure of newly hatched Avian x Avian broilers to ultraviolet light from insect traps for 42 d resulted in no significant differences in mortality, weight gain, feed consumption, or feed conversion. Birds were exposed to greater intensities of ultraviolet light for longer periods than could be expected under commercial conditions. Although house flies are rarely a problem in broiler houses, our results indicate that insect traps with ultraviolet light as an attractant would not be detrimental to production of broilers. The need for additional testing of light traps for nuisance fly control in commercial broiler houses is discussed.