Scientists at ONCE, in conjunction with two major U.S. universities, have found that the addition of an Ultraviolet A (UV-A) spectrum into animal housing lighting reduces stress levels by a significant margin. This reduction of stress represents possibly the biggest breakthrough for poultry animal welfare in recent history.
"In our three individual, scientifically conducted trials, we measured two hormonal stress biomarkers and behavioral responses," explains Dr. Aaron Stephan Ph D, Director of Biological Research and Development at ONCE. "The data show that dynamic levels of UV-A mixed with other specific light spectra results in a substantial reduction of industry-accepted stress indicators. Corticosterone levels decreased by two-thirds, while heterophil:lymphocyte ratios were cut in half when compared to the poultry raised without supplemental UV-A," stated Stephan