Abstract
1. Quality properties of breast and drumstick muscles of female broiler chickens reared under different light sources were evaluated using a total of 480 female chicks (Ross 308).
2. After hatch, the chicks were randomly divided into three lighting treatment groups: control (daylight; mini incandescent lamps), G-B lighting group (green light monochromatic (MC) lamps for first 3 weeks switching to blue MC lamps for remaining 3 weeks), G-GB mixed lighting group (Green MC light for first 3 weeks, switching to Green MC light + Blue MC light mixture for remaining 3 weeks).
3. Feed consumption, body weight and total muscle weight values of the muscles from G-B and G-GB mix lighting groups were significantly higher than those of incandescent (control) lighting groups.
4. The breast and drumstick muscles from control lighting groups had a lower pH and water-holding capacity, but higher cooking loss values than those from G-B and G-GB mix lighting groups. The muscles from G-GB mix lighting groups exhibited the softer structure than those from other lighting groups.
5. We suggest that G-B or G-GB mix lighting during the rearing period of female broilers would improve body and muscle growth and then meat quality properties.