Is it permissible to slaughter the 'aqiqah at night, and if not, what are the implications, and is there a preference among the animals that are slaughtered for 'aqiqah?

The 'Aqiqah is slaughtered on the seventh day of the newborn's birth. It is permissible to slaughter it before that, after birth. The day of birth is counted as one of the seven days. Slaughtering it at night is not considered valid by most scholars, and it is safer to avoid it. Nothing is acceptable for the 'Aqiqah except what is acceptable for the Udhiyah (sacrifice), in terms of age, freedom from defects, and being from livestock (cattle, camels, sheep, or goats). The best among them is sheep, as it is mentioned in the texts. Some scholars are of the opinion that camels are best, then cattle, then sheep.