THE ROLE which light intensity plays in broiler production has never been fully evaluated or understood. The possibility of a relationship between the amount of light in broiler houses and the problem of feather picking and cannibalism has been suggested by Clark (1953) and Biester and Schwarte (1952). This has been discussed, also, by an anonymous author in the Purina Eastern Broiler Letter of August 1952. This publication recommended that the number of windows be reduced, and that only enough artificial light be provided to enable the birds to see the feed and water.
Light intensity studies with broilers at the University of New Hampshire, were initiated to determine if intensity played a role in the incidence of cannibalism. Skoglund (1962) found that light intensities of 15, 60 and 120 foot candles at the feeder height exerted no influence upon the incidence of feather picking in broilers; but there was . . .