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

Abdelazeem, Abdelazeem S.; Zaid, Waleed I.  A.; Hassan, Magdy S. H.; Abdel-Azim, Ali M.

doi:10.21608/fjard.2025.387430.1123

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

Document Type : Research articles.

Authors

¹ Poultry Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University.

² Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Millawi, Minya Governorate, Egypt

³ Animal Production Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture, Dokki, Giza, Egypt.

⁴ Poultry Production Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Fayoum University, Egypt.

10.21608/fjard.2025.387430.1123

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.

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