Morphologic changes induced by photoperiod in eyes of turkey poults

Large White commercial tom poults were grown from 1 day to 8 weeks of age in the following light treatments: (i) continuous incandescent light (24LL); (ii) 23 hours of incandescent light and 1 hour of darkness/day (23L:1D); (iii) 12 hours of incandescent light and 12 hours of darkness/day (12L:12D); or (iv) natural decreasing day lengths (natural). At 8 weeks of age, significant (P less than 0.05) morphologic changes in eyes occurred. Poults exposed to the 24LL or 23L:1D had heavier eyes than did poults exposed to the 12L:12D or natural day length. In addition, the eye size (anterior to posterior diameter and horizontal width) exposed to the 24LL treatment was greater than those exposed to 23L:1D, 12L:12D, or natural day length. Cornea heights of poults exposed to 24LL or 23L:1D were smaller than cornea heights of those exposed to 12L:12D or natural day length. Marked differences did not occur in intraocular pressure among treatments.     

Experiments with the Cornell intermittent lighting system for laying hens

1. Two experiments were conducted to provide further evidence about rate of lay under the Cornell lighting system (2L:4D:8L:10D). Each used 1728 hens of each of 2 brown-egg stocks in 12 light-proof rooms. 2. In the first the Cornell system was compared at 2 light intensities (average values 2 and 10 lux) with a conventional step up lighting programme. In the second, Cornell lighting was introduced at 18, 21 or 24 weeks of age and compared with a step up programme. 3. Total egg output was essentially the same from the Cornell lighting system, using 10 h light/d, as from the step up programme using 16 h/d. When the Cornell system was applied abruptly at 18 weeks to pullets which had been reared on short days (8L:16D) sexual maturity was advanced, resulting in an increase in mean rate of lay to 72 weeks of age and a reduction in mean egg size. Application of the Cornell system from 21 or 24 weeks gave the same egg numbers and the same egg size as the step up programme. 4. Food intake was about 2% lower with the Cornell treatment in both experiments. Although this difference was not quite significant in either, it probably reflects a real effect of the reduced hours of light. It represents a greater potential cost saving than the reduced electricity consumption. 5. Birds in rooms with an average light intensity of 2 lux laid slightly fewer eggs but their eggs were 0.5 g heavier than those laid in rooms maintained at 10 lux. There were no interactions between light intensity and light pattern or between stocks and light pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of divergent selection for incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) on purebred and crossbred performance. 2. Processing yield

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of selection for high (H) or low (L) incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia for 7 generations on processing performance of broilers. 2. Birds were obtained from diallel matings of the H and L lines (HH, HL, LH, and LL) and a randombred control (CC) line. Birds were reared to 7 weeks of age under standard management conditions. All birds were processed at 7 weeks of age. Body weight at 7 weeks, carcase weight, and carcase part weights were recorded on each bird. 3. An interaction between sire line and dam line was caused by lighter body and carcase weight at 7 weeks of age in HH birds than from the birds of the other crosses. 4. Birds by L line dams had heavier drumstick weights. The influences of sire line and dam line on weight of total breast muscle were not significant. Thigh weights and Pectoralis minor weights were lighter in HH line birds than those other matings. 5. Heterosis for body weight and for weights of carcases, drumstick and thigh was negative. Total breast muscle weight and P. major weight did not show significant heterosis. 6. It was concluded that selecting against TD does not reduce processing yield of broilers.     

Sex differences in the effect of intermittent compared with continuous light on growth rate, testes and body weight of broilers reared under commercial conditions

The effect of intermittent light (IL) on the growth of broilers was tested under commercial conditions. One-d-old chickens were subjected to continuous light (CL) until 7 d of age and then received either CL or 7.5L:4.5D:7.5L:4.5D until 53 d. Body and testes weights were measured. At 53 d of age, the mean body weight of males was greater on IL than on CL; for females there was no difference. The testes of males on IL weighed more than those on CL. Growth of broilers was greater (P less than 0.05) at 35, 49 and 53 days of age if light was provided continuously from hatch to 7 d of age and then switched to IL than those remaining on CL during the entire periods.     

单色光对肉鸡免疫功能的影响

选用260只刚出壳AA肉鸡公雏,随机分为红（660 nm）、绿（560 nm）、蓝（480 nm）和白（400-700 nm）4个光色处理组,分别用4种发光二级管作为光源进行处理。每个处理设5个重复,每个重复13只鸡,人工光照光强度均为15 lx,光照时间为23 h,试验期为7周。49日龄测定肉鸡脾脏的质量,21和49日龄测定外周血T淋巴细胞转化率和血清皮质醇水平,14、28、42和49日龄测定新城疫（NDV）抗体滴度。结果表明：与红光组比较,蓝光组49日龄肉鸡脾脏的质量提高42.2%（P〈0.05）,而白光、绿光和蓝光各组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）。与白光组相比,蓝光组21和49日龄皮质醇水平分别降低25.2%和26.2%（P〈0.05）。与红光组比较,28日龄时绿光组的新城疫抗体水平显著高32.9%（P〈0.05）,而白光、红光和蓝光各组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）;49日龄时蓝光组NDV的抗体水平显著高62.8%（P〈0.05）,但蓝光、绿光和白光组间差异不显著（P〉0.05）。与红光组比较,21日龄时白光和绿光组肉鸡外周血T淋巴细胞的转化率均显著提高（分别为107.1%和80.8%,P〈0.05）,49日龄时白光和蓝光组分别显著提高41.5%和26.9%（P〈0.05）。上述结果表明,在15 lx光强度下,肉鸡生长前期选用绿光照明,后期改为蓝光照明,可以提高肉鸡免疫功能,而且在一定程度上蓝光还有缓解免疫应激的作用。     

Effects of environmental enrichment, fluorescent and intermittent lighting on injurious pecking amongst male turkey poults

1. Under commercial and experimental conditions domestic turkeys often cause injuries to pen-mates by repeated pecking, sometimes fatally. Environmental enrichment or lighting manipulations might be used to mitigate such injurious pecking. 2. This study examined responses to 4 treatments (2 rooms/treatment) of 8 groups of 100, non-beak trimmed, non-desnooded, male domestic turkeys from 1 to 35 d of age. 3. Birds of 1 treatment were reared under conditions approximating to commercial rearing (12L:12D incandescent, Control) whereas the experimental treatments were 12L:12D incandescent plus supplemental ultraviolet radiation, straw supplementation of litter, pecking substrates and visual barriers (Enriched), 12L:12D fluorescent lighting (Fluorescent), and 2(2L:3D):2L:12D incandescent (Intermittent). 4. Compared to control birds, the incidence of injuries caused by wing or tail pecking were both lower in the Enriched but not significantly different in the Fluorescent or Intermittent. 5. Injuries caused by head pecking did not occur in the Enriched rooms but were observed in at least 1 of the rooms with Control, Fluorescent and Intermittent treatments. 6. Despite considerable environmental differences between treatments, there was remarkable consistency within each type of injurious pecking in age at which injuries were 1st recorded (wing pecking, 9.38+/-1.31 d; tail pecking, 20.43+/-2.42 d; head pecking, 27.8+/-2.13 d). The roles of feather emergence, hierarchy formation in wild turkey poults and appearance of feathers are discussed as possible explanations of these consistencies.     

Evaluation of different water flow rates of nipple drinkers on broiler productivity

Watering systems utilized in broiler production can impact bird performance. Many companies have increased water flow rates (WFR) in their nipple drinkers (ND) system during brooding above the manufacturers recommended level, then make adjustments in WFR during the grow period. This has increased moisture and early caking problems in litter. The objective of this study was to determine how birds perform on different WFR rates during brood and grow periods while observing litter condition. Seven WFR treatments were evaluated for broilers reared from 1 to 42 d age: 50 mL/min, 75 mL/min, 100 mL/min, 120 mL/min, 50 mL/min 1 to 7 d increasing to 75 mL/min 8 to 42 d, 75 mL/min 1 to 7 d increasing to 100 mL/min 8 to 42 d, and 100 mL/min 1 to 7 d increasing to 120 mL/min 8 to 42 d. Chicks were identified and randomly allocated in a randomized complete block design. BW, cumulative feed consumption (FC), FCR (feed:BW), litter moisture (%), and litter moisture under the ND were determined weekly to 42 d. Mortality (MO) was recorded daily. Birds tended to have heavier BW on d 35 when (P = 0.08) on the higher WFR (75, 100, and 120 mL/min) in comparison to birds on the lowest WFR (50 mL/min). No differences were observed for FC, FCR, or MO. Birds on treatments with higher WFR (100 and 120 mL/min) and treatments which were increased to higher WFR (75 to 100 mL/min and 100 to 120 mL/min) utilized greater amounts of water as compared to birds receiving lower WFR (50 and 75 mL/min). The 100 and 120 mL/min WFR resulted in higher percent litter moisture (P ≤ 0.01) under the ND but decreased at the end of the growing period. In conclusion, as birds become heavier, they attempt to utilize larger amounts of water from ND with greater WFR without any beneficial effect on bird performance. As WFR increase, litter moisture under the ND will initially increase but then decrease as the birds age.     

Illuminance and UV-A exposure during rearing affects egg production in broiler breeders transferred to open-sided adult housing

1. Broiler breeders were reared in light-proof accommodation on 8-h photoperiods at an illuminance of 10 (W10), 40 (W40) or 100 lux (W100) from warm-white fluorescent lamps, or 10 lux (UV10) from Arcadia bird lamps (white light plus UV-A emission). At 20 weeks, 200 birds from each group were transferred to open-sided housing and a 16-h mixture of natural and warm-white fluorescent light. 2. Mortality during rearing and body weight at 20 weeks were similar for all groups. 3. The W10 birds matured 2 d later, had inferior rates of lay over peak production and laid 9 fewer eggs to 60 weeks than the other groups. Mean egg weight, extra large egg production and mortality between 20 and 60 weeks were unaffected by lighting during the rearing period. The UV10 birds had a significantly better rate of lay between 52 and 60 weeks than any of the groups reared on white light. 4. The findings suggest that ultraviolet radiation does not directly affect hypothalamic activity, but that retinally received UV during the rearing period prolongs the laying cycle through a modification of the hormonal control of photorefractoriness.     

Responses of broiler chickens to high-frequency and low-frequency fluorescent light.

1. The influence of the flicker frequency on physical activity and energy expenditure of broilers was studied using commercially available high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) fluorescent lamps in a 23L:1D lighting schedule. 2. Broilers were reared under and adapted to HF. They were alternately subjected to HF and LF during measurement of activity and energy expenditure. 3. In comparison with HF, LF inhibited activity (number and intensity of movements), but did not influence energy expenditure. 4. It was concluded that the 100 Hz flickering of low-frequency light is detected by broilers and has measurable behavioural effects upon them. 5. The results were discussed in relation to current knowledge of human and birds' critical flicker frequency and perception.     

Leg health and performance of broiler chickens reared in different light environments

1. The effects of light source and intensity on leg health and performance of female ROSS 308 broiler chickens were investigated in a 2 x 2 experimental design (8 groups of 275 chicks) of two light sources (Osram biolux and Osram warm-white) and two light intensities (5 and 100 clux, adjusted to fowl-perceived illuminance). 2. At 41 d of age, body weight, gait-score, footpad dermatitis and hock-burn were measured on 50 birds from each light environment. In addition, weekly feed intake and body weight were determined on a group basis and mortality was recorded continuously. 3. The light environment did not affect the severity of the gait-score or hock-burns. The risk of moderate to severe lameness and hock-burns increased with body weight. Birds weighing more than 2400 g had an increased probability of moderate footpad lesions in biolux light. 4. Weight and gait-score, as well as gait-score and hock-burn were positively correlated. Podo-dermatitis was weakly correlated with hock-burn, which contradicts earlier findings. The light environment did not affect feed intake, body weight or mortality. 5. The light sources and intensities employed in this study did not adversely affect production or leg health of broiler chickens reared semi-commercially.     

Effect of different types of litter material for rearing broilers

1. Coir dust was evaluated as broiler litter in comparison with sawdust and rice husk using 135 commercial broilers. Forty-five broiler chicks were reared to 42 d on a 50 mm layer of each of these litters. 2. Birds reared on coir dust showed no difference in food consumption, body weight gain, food conversion efficiency production number and survivability in comparison to those reared on saw dust and rice husk. 3. It was concluded that coir dust is suitable as broiler litter when cheaply available.     

Photorefractoriness in broiler breeders: sexual maturity and egg production evidence

1. Photorefractoriness was assessed in two lines of broiler breeders. In one trial, male-line and female-line pullets were reared on the floor and transferred to individual cages at 15 weeks. Birds were either maintained on 8-, 11- or 16-h photoperiods or transferred from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 67 or 124 d. In the second trial, female-line pullets were concurrently housed in the same rearing facilities as trial 1 and transferred to adult floor-pens at 12 weeks. These birds were either maintained on 11- or 16-h photoperiods or transferred from 8- to 11-h or from 8- to 16-h photoperiods at 140 d. 2. In the cages, male-line and female-line birds responded similarly to the lighting treatments, but with the male-line maturing 1 to 2 weeks later than the female-line in each case. Birds on constant 11-h photoperiods matured 3 to 8 d earlier than constant 8-h birds, but 3 weeks earlier than constant 16-h birds. Birds photostimulated at 67 d matured at a similar time to constant 16-h birds, but almost 7 weeks later than those transferred from 8 to 16 h at 124 d. In the floor facilities, constant 11-h birds matured 3 weeks earlier than constant 16-h birds, but almost 2 weeks later than either of the photostimulated groups. Birds transferred from 8 to 16 h matured 4d earlier than those transferred from 8 to 11 h. 3. Caged birds maintained on 16 h or transferred from 8 to 16 h at 67 d laid at least 24 fewer eggs, and had more hens not laying at 58 weeks, than birds maintained on 11-h days or those transferred from 8 to 16 h at 124 d. In the floor-pens, constant 11-h and both photostimulated groups produced about 20 more eggs to 56 weeks of age than the constant 16-h controls. 4. Collectively, these findings indicate that conventionally managed broiler breeders exhibit photorefractoriness. Additionally, a combination of photorefractoriness and controlled feeding appears to prevent broiler breeders from being photoresponsive until at least 10 weeks of age, and to cause some individuals still to be photoperiodically non-responsive at 18 weeks.     

Response of body weight and clearance and secretion rates of growth hormone to photoperiod in Holstein heifers

Effects of photoperiod on growth, eating patterns and clearance rate, secretion rate and half-life of growth hormone in serum were assessed in Holstein heifers. Sixty-four prepubertal heifers (avg body wt 102 kg) were blocked by weight into four groups of 16. Within block, each animal was randomly assigned to one of four photoperiod treatments: 16 h of cool-white fluorescent light:8 h dark (CW-16L:8D), CW-8L:16D, CW-6L:8D:2L:8D or 16 h of VitaLite fluorescent light:8D (V-16L:8D). Animals were fed ad libitum a complete mixed diet formulated for heifers to gain approximately .9 kg/d. Average daily body weight gains were .93, .96, .98 and 1.0 kg/d during 112 d of exposure to CW-8L:16D, CW-6L:8D:2L:8D, CW-16L:8D and V-16L:8D, respectively. Heifers exposed to V16L:8D and CW-16L:8D gained more weight (112 and 110 kg; P less than .05 and P less than .08, respectively) than heifers exposed to CW-8L:16D (104 kg). Body weight gain was not different (P greater than .10) between heifers exposed to CW-6L:8D:2L:8D (108 kg) or CW-8L:16D, or between heifers exposed to CW-16L:8D or V-16L:8D. Total number of eating events in 30 h and percentage of total events in the lighted period were 549 and 96% and 523 and 50% in heifers exposed to CW-16L:8D and CW-8L:16D, respectively. Clearance rates (620 vs 636 ml/min), secretion rates (3.0 vs 3.8 micrograms/min) and half lives (17.2 vs 17.9 min) of growth hormone in serum were similar in heifers exposed to CW-16L:8D and CW-8L:16D.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of age and body weight at photostimulation on the sexual maturation of broiler breeder pullets transferred from 8L:16D to 16L:8D

1. In two trials, broiler breeders were grown to a mean body weight of 2.0 to 2.2 kg at 20 weeks on 8L:16D and transferred to 16L:8D at various ages between 69 and 175 d of age at mean body weights varying between 1.0 and 2.7 kg. Other groups were grown to have a mean 20-week body weight 0.87, 1.15, 1.25 or 1.37 of the normal birds and photostimulated simultaneously with the normal weight birds. Controls were held on 8L:16D in each weight group. In a third trial, broiler breeders were transferred from 8L:16D to 16L:8D at 45 (ad libitum fed), 75 or 90 d (mild feed control), when the mean body weight of each group had reached 2.1 kg. Controls weighing 2.0 kg at 20 weeks were held on 8L:16D or 16L:8D. 2. In trial 1, photostimulating normal weight birds at 69, 76, 83 or 97 d delayed maturity and widened the spread of individual maturities, whilst transferring to 16L:8D at 111 or 125 d advanced maturity. Increasing the mean 20-week body weight to 2.8 kg advanced maturity in birds transferred to 16L:8D at 97, 111 or 125 d. Birds photostimulated at 69, 76 and 83 d matured at a similar age to controls held on 8L:16D. 3. In trial 2, transferring normal weight birds to 16L:8D at 91, 112, 133, 147, 161 or 175 d advanced maturity. Reducing the 20-week mean body weight to 1.91 kg delayed maturity in birds photostimulated at 91 or 112 d, but advanced it in birds photostimulated at 112, 133, 147, 161 or 175 d. Sexual maturity was similar for birds with a 20-week mean body weight of 2.54 or 2.74 kg, with advances for all groups photostimulated between 91 and 175 d. 4. In trial 3, birds maintained on 16L:8D matured later than birds held on 8L:16D, but maturity was advanced when birds were transferred to 16L:8D at 45, 75 or 90 d at a common body weight of 2.1 kg.     

Influence of nutrient density and lighting regime in broiler chickens: Effect on antioxidant status and immune functiona

1.?The effects of nutrient density and lighting regime on oxidant status and immune function of broilers were investigated in a 2 × 4 experimental design (8 groups of 576 chickens).

2.?There were two nutrient densities: high (H) starter diet AME 13·39 MJ/kg, 230 g crude protein (CP)/kg: finisher 13·39 MJ/kg, 197 g CP/kg CP) and low (L) starter AME 12·03 MJ/kg, 208 g CP/k; finisher 12·14 MJ/kg, 183 g CP/kg C. The 4 lighting regimes were continuous (CL) 23L:1D, 20L:4D (12L:2D:8L:2D), 16L:8D (12L:3D:2L:3D:2L:2D) and 12L:12D (9L:3D:1L:3D:1L:3D:1L:3D). Blood and lymphoid organs were collected at d 21 and 42 for assay of antioxidant indices and immunity.

3.?Chickens fed low density diet had a higher Fabricius bursa weight (FBW). Low density diet tended (P = 0·089) to increase the a-Naphthylacetate esterase (ANAE) positive percentage response at 42 d.

4.?The 12L:12D schedule decreased serum malondialdehyde compared with other regimes at 21 d. At 42 d, it was lower in the 12L:12D and 16L:8D groups than in CL and 20L:4D. There was a trend (P = 0·086) for greater superoxide dismutase activity in the 12L:12D and 16L:8D groups than under the CL and 20L:4D regimes at 42 d. ANAE positive percentage in 12L:12D group at 42 d was higher than in CL and 20L:4D groups. Plasma IgG in the 12L:12D group at 42 d was higher than in the CL group.

5.?There was an interaction between nutrient density and lighting regime for FBW at 42 d.

6.?These results demonstrate that low nutrient density and a 12L:12D schedule lighting schedule can enhance oxidant-antioxidant balance and the immune functions of broilers.     

Effects of strain, maternal age and sex on morphological characteristics and composition of tibial bone in broilers.

1. This study was to determine the effects of strain, age of the maternal flock and sex on morphological characteristics and composition of tibial bone of broilers from hatch to 48 d of age. 2. A total of 600 chicks was obtained from 2 strains of broiler breeder flocks (150/chicks/strain/maternal age). Maternal flock age was classified as young (32 to 35 weeks of age) or old (56 to 58 weeks of age). Birds were reared under standard feeding and lighting regimes. 3. On day 1, 16, 32 and 48, twelve birds were selected at random from each maternal group, strain and sex and killed. The wet bone weight and volume were measured. Morphological characteristics of tibia were determined using radiography. Bone breaking strength was tested. Tibia dry matter, ash content, mineral density and collagen level were determined. 4. A quadratic increase occurred with increase in age of broilers for all variables, except proximal width, medial cortex thickness and distal condyle width which increased in a linear manner. 5. Maternal age had a significant effect only on the variably measured at the time of hatch. On day of hatch bone weight, ash content and bone volume were affected by maternal age, but the extent of this also depended on the strain. 6. The differences observed between strains for bone anatomy and bone mineralisation during the rapid growth period of 16 d were not significant at later ages, with the exception of bone volume. Differences between sexes were evident from 16 to 49 d of age with females having lower values.     

Effect of light sources and light intensity on growth performance and behavior of male turkeys

This study consisted of two experiments: the first was conducted with Large White turkey males during the spring and summer (experiment 1) and the second during the autumn and winter (experiment 2). When 56 d of age, the birds were assigned to light-controlled pens and exposed to continuous illumination. Light sources used were incandescent, daylight fluorescent, warm fluorescent or high pressure sodium vapour lamps at light intensities of 10.8 or 86.1 lux. Results obtained showed that the light sources used had no significant effects on growth performance, efficiency of food utilization, feather scores or live bird quality of Large White turkeys. Social encounters were higher in birds reared under fluorescent and sodium vapour lights and mortality was higher in birds under fluorescent lights in experiment 1. Behaviour, feather scores, live bird grade and mortality were unaffected by light source treatments in experiment 2. Light intensity had no significant effect on growth, efficiency of food utilization, feather scores or bird market quality. Social encounters and mortality were higher in males exposed to 86.1 lux of light intensity.     

单色光对肉鸡脑内促性腺激素释放激素分布和表达的影响

24只刚出壳的雄性AA肉鸡分别在白(400～760 nm)、红(660 nm)、绿(560 nm)和蓝色(480 nm) LED灯下饲养7周,光照强度15 lx,光照制度23h∶1 h(L:D).49日龄时取脑,利用免疫组化的方法显示GnRH神经元和神经纤维的分布及比较各光色下GnRH神经元的表达强度.结果显示,GnRH神经元和神经纤维在下丘脑、丘脑和中脑均有分布,且蓝光组下丘脑的视前室周核、视前内侧核、室周核、室旁大细胞核以及丘脑的圆核和卵圆核GnRH神经元表达强度显著高于红、绿光组.结果表明,光色可影响家禽下丘脑和丘脑GnRH的表达与分泌.     

Serum concentrations of pituitary and adrenal hormones in female pigs exposed to two photoperiods

Serum concentrations of pituitary and adrenal hormones were determined in lactating sows and ovariectomized (OVX) gilts exposed to 8 h (8L:16D) or 16 h of light (16L:8D). In addition serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations were determined after a thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) challenge. At 103 +/- 2 d of gestation or 3 wk after ovariectomy of nulliparous gilts on d 7 to 9 of the estrous cycle (d - 10), blood samples were collected from jugular vein cannulae at 30-min intervals for 8 h beginning at 0800 h. Immediately after the last sample, 13 sows and five OVX gilts were assigned to 8L:16D and 14 sows and five OVX gilts were assigned to 16L:8D/d and placed in two identical chambers in the farrowing house. Blood sampling was repeated on d 7, 14 and 21 of lactation in the sows and on d 7, 14, 21 and 28 in the OVX gilts. In Exp. 1, serum cortisol (C) concentrations were similar for sows exposed to 8L:16D (n = 7) and 16L:8D (n = 6) treatments, whereas in Exp. 2, serum C concentrations for sows exposed to 8L:16D (n = 6) were lower than those exposed to 16L:8D (n = 6) on d 7, 14 and 21. Photoperiod failed to influence serum concentrations of PRL, luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone in the lactating sows or PRL in the OVX gilts. Photoperiod also failed to affect mean basal serum concentrations, peak height and peak frequency for PRL and LH in the lactating sows or for PRL in the OVX gilts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of artificial light sources and lighting programmes for laying hens on long ahemeral light cycles

Three lighting treatments were given to laying hens, for which the bright and dim light of 28-h ahemeral light cycles was provided by incandescent (tungsten filament) lamps only or by combinations of tubular fluorescent or compact gas-discharge lamps with incandescent lamps. There were no differences in entrainment (the proportion of eggs laid in 4, 6 or 8 h modal periods) between the three bright:dim treatments. A fourth ahemeral lighting treatment in which the dim lights were extinguished except during a designated work period (09.00 h to 12.00 h daily) was termed bright:dim:dark. Hens given the bright:dim:dark treatment showed an increased entrainment compared with the three bright:dim light treatments. There were no differences (P greater than 0.05) in egg numbers or mean egg weight between all 4 lighting treatments. Birds given the bright:dim:dark treatment tended to have a lower (P greater than 0.05) food intake compared to the three bright:dim treatments.