A test for photorefractoriness in high‐producing stocks of laying pullets

1. Pullets of 2 high‐producing commercial stocks (both brown‐egg layers) were exposed to 5 different lighting patterns between 18 and 72 weeks to test the hypothesis that photoperiods used in commercial lighting programmes early in the laying year may be unnecessarily long and, by accelerating the development of photorefractoriness, may contribute to the decline in egg production observed after the initial peak. Two rooms of 288 pullets were allocated to each treatment.

2. The rate of lay observed with a Step‐Up treatment which gave increases in photoperiod from 8L:16D at 18 weeks to 15L:9D at 27 weeks of age was not significantly different from that of treatments which held the birds on 11L:13D during peak egg production but gave increments up to 15L:9D later in the laying year.

3. A control group maintained on 11L:13D from 20 to 72 weeks laid 295 eggs per bird housed and a further group held on 8L:16D from 0 to 72 weeks laid 284 eggs per bird. These yields were lower than the Step‐Up treatment (299 eggs) but show the potential of modern hybrid stocks to lay prolifically even without light stimulation.

4. It is concluded that the stocks tested in this experiment showed no advantage when given lighting programmes in the first laying year which were designed to minimise the adverse effects of photorefractoriness.     

Comparison of the Cornell and Bio-mittent reduced lighting programmes for laying hens

The Cornell (8L:10D:2L:4D) and (Ralston Purina) Biomittent lighting programmes were applied to a commercial strain of White Leghorn laying hens from 20 to 64 weeks of age. 2. The egg production of hens exposed to the Cornell lighting was reduced compared to the Bio-mittent programme. 3. Food consumption was less and efficiency of utilisation significantly improved for the Cornell programme during phase I (20 to 36 weeks) of the study. Significant differences were not observed during phase II (37 to 64 weeks) or for the whole cycle (20 to 64 weeks). 4. Body weights were significantly greater for hens exposed to the Bio-mittent programme during both phases I and II. 5. Egg weights, egg mass and egg weight distributions were not different for hens exposed to the 2 programmes. 6. Food costs and the margin of income over food costs were significantly in favour of the Cornell programme during phase I. However, differences for phase II and the complete cycle were not significant. 7. The Bio-mittent programme offered a computed advantage of 14.4% fewer hours of light usage compared to the Cornell programme.     

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.     

Experiments with the Bio-mittent lighting system for laying hens

1. Two experiments are described in which a system of intermittent lighting (15 min light followed by 45 min dark for 15 h, then 15 min light, 30 min dark, 15 min light and 8 h dark) was applied to laying pullets from 37 to 72 weeks of age. A step-up lighting programme was used as a control treatment (8L:16D from 0 to 18 weeks, photoperiod increased by 20 min each week from 18 to 41 weeks, 16L:8D from 41 to 72 weeks of age). 2. Food consumption was reduced by about 5% when intermittent lighting was in use and by 3.8% for the period from 18 to 72 weeks. 3. Rate of lay and egg weight were similar for intermittent lighting and the control treatment, provided that protein content of the diet was adjusted to maintain an adequate amino acid intake. 4. In the second trial 2 stocks, 2 stocking densities confounded with 2 temperatures and 2 types of food trough were used. Each of these factors affected food intake and it was found that more food was saved by intermittent lighting when intake was high and less when it was low. The proportion saved was approximately 5%. 5. Mortality was slightly but not significantly lower in both experiments where intermittent lighting was used. This may indicate that caged pullets are under less stress when intermittent lighting is used.     

Time of lay in hens exposed to intermittent lighting

1. Two short-term trials are described in which laying hens were exposed to 8 h light followed by 8 one-min pulses of light at hourly intervals followed by 8 h darkness (8L:8i:8D). The effect of varying the intensity of illumination during the one-min pulses and the effect of placing the intermittent lighting before the 8 h photoperiod (8i:8L:8D), were studied. 2. Normal egg production was maintained by the 8L:8i:8D system when the light pulses were at 20 lux, but not at 5 lux. This suggests a minimum threshold for illumination with short light pulses higher than that needed for continuous lighting. 3. Time of lay under 8L:8i:8D was the same as with 8L:16D in relation to the beginning and ending of the 8 h main photoperiod, but with 8i:8L:8D mean time of lay was 2 to 3 h earlier. Thus the hourly pulses caused a phase advance when placed before the normal photoperiod but did not cause a phase delay when placed after the normal photoperiod.     

Changes in light intensity during the rearing period can influence egg production in domestic fowl

1. A total of 240 Shaver White and 240 ISA Brown pullets that had been reared in multi-bird cages on a 10-h photoperiod, and maintained at a light intensity of 3 or 25 lux, or changed from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 9 or 16 weeks of age, were moved into individual-bird cages at 20 weeks and transferred to 15-h photoperiods at 25 lux. 2. In both breeds, birds transferred from 3 to 25 lux at 16 or 20 weeks laid significantly more eggs than birds maintained on the brighter intensity from one day or increased to it at 9 weeks. 3. Mean egg weight, shell deformation, albumen height, feed intake and body weight gain in lay were not significantly affected by the light intensity treatments during the rearing period. There was, however, a small, but significant, negative correlation of egg numbers with mean egg weight, although this only partially explained the difference in egg numbers. The differences in egg production were unrelated to rate of sexual maturation.     

Differential response of sex‐linked albino (s al ) and silver (S) hens to high and low light intensity

1. Sex‐linked albino (s ^al ) and S (Silver) female chicks were hatched from heterozygous sires from a brown egg‐type line. They were raised in a windowless house and at 17 weeks of age were caged individually in 4 rooms with white fluorescent tubes: two rooms had a “low” light intensity (less than 10 lux) and two had a “high” intensity (average near 400 lux). In total, 157 females completed the experiment.

2. Body weight, sexual maturity, egg weight, the number of abnormal and cracked eggs, efficiency of food utilisation and mortality were not affected either by lighting treatment or by genotype.

3. The genotype X treatment interaction was highly significant for egg number, laying percentage and clutch length to 362 d. The S females were not affected by light intensity. Albino hens of “high” light intensity were superior to the other 3 groups, laying 12 per cent more eggs than non‐albino hens; but their egg production was moderately depressed by “dim” light relative to others.     

Timing of oviposition in mixed systems using bright light, dim light and darkness

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine time of oviposition for hens exposed to continuous dim lighting, to dim lighting alternating with bright lighting in a 24 h cycle or to a mixed system using bright light, dim light and darkness. 2. Under continuous dim lighting (0.3 lux), the pattern of ovipositions was the same as that reported previously for constant darkness, more eggs being laid around midnight than around noon. 3. With alternating bright and dim phases, mean time of lay was approximately 16 h after the transition from bright to dim lighting, which was 3 h earlier than under the corresponding cycle of light and dark. This phase advance was the same whether the bright:dim ratio was 16:1 or 160:1. 4. Dim lighting (1.25 lux) preceded by a period of normal lighting (5 lux or 50 lux) and followed by 8 h darkness was treated as part of the photoperiod. 5. It is concluded that, when there is no darkness, a period of dim lighting is treated as darkness, provided the contrast between bright and dim phases is sufficient. However, when darkness, dim light and bright light are all included in a cycle, the dim light is treated as part of the photoperiod, even though there may be a contrast between the brightly lit and dimly lit phases which, in the absence of darkness, would cause the dim phase to be treated as dark.     

Performance of layers reared and/or kept under different 6‐hour light‐dark cycles

1. Using 60 hens reared and kept on a standard lighting programme (decreasing followed by increasing photoperiod to 22 weeks of age and 14 h continuous light: 10 h continuous dark during lay) as control, the effects of the following intermittent patterns on development and performance were studied. Group 1. The same rearing programme, followed by, between 20 and 36 weeks, 3 h light (L) :3 h dark (D) intermittent and then from 36 weeks a regime in which each light period was progressively shortened by 30 min every 8 weeks with corresponding lengthening of the dark period so that the last cycle used between 52 and 60 weeks was 1.5 h L :4.5 h D. Group 2.6‐hour light‐dark cycles from hatching; the light: dark ratio first decreasing and then increasing, such that total light hours per day varied as in the control group to 20 weeks, and then subsequent lighting as in 1. Group 3. Intermittent lighting of 1.5 h L :4.5 h D unvaryingly from 4 to 60 weeks.

2. Sexual development was essentially the same in all groups. Egg numbers were decreased slightly by the short light‐dark cycles but daily egg mass output was the same in all groups. Food utilisation was best in group 1 and worst in the control group.

3. In general egg weight and shell quality were improved by the short light‐dark cycles; the effect appearing with the first eggs and being especially marked for group 3.

4. On intermittent regimes ovipositions were equally distributed between the four daily light‐dark periods when the light :dark ratio was near unity but were more numerous during the first half of the solar day when the ratio was 1.5 L:4.5 D.     

Light intensity,intermittent lighting and feeding regimen during rearing as affecting egg production and egg quality

1. Four light treatments and two rearing regimens were imposed on 4 breeds of laying hen, using 6144 birds in an 8‐room climate house.

2. Room treatments were a standard lighting pattern with intensities of 0.5, 2 and 15 lux and an intermittent pattern (3 h light: 3 h dark) at 15 lux. Within room treatments were ad libitum or rationed feeding during rearing and 4 breeds: ISA Brown, Hisex Brown, Shaver Brown and Hisex White.

3. Rationing during rearing, by holding intake at its 6‐week level from 6 to 14 weeks of age, was associated with significantly higher egg production and lower egg weight, but no effect on food intake, or egg output.

4. Intermittent lighting, using a repeated 3L:3D regimen was associated with higher egg weight, but a lower rate of lay, food intake, and total egg output.

5. The absence of a consistent response to light intensity, over the range 0.75 to 12.4 lux was in contrast with earlier work, and it is possible that modern prolific hybrids are more tolerant of low intensity than were earlier stocks.

6. Despite this result it is suggested that current recommendations of 10 to 20 lux in laying houses need not be changed, because such intensities are advisable on the grounds of welfare, staff working conditions and aesthetics.     

Effects of lighting intensity on growth and reproductive performance of breeder geese

This study investigated the effects of lighting intensity on egg production among white Roman geese kept in an environmentally controlled house. Two hundred and fifty-two White Roman geese aged 10 mo were randomly distributed among 12 pens, with each pen containing 5 ganders and 16 females on the floor, based on a completely random design (CRD). At the beginning of the study, each treatment group was comprised of 5 ganders and 16 geese in each pen; these groups included: control (40 lux group), geese under 170 lux (170 lux group), geese under 300 lux (300 lux group), and geese under 430 lux (430 lux group). The age of the geese at first lay was 10 mo, on average. The results showed that geese under 40 lux in egg number per goose or laying rate had lower than those of the 430 lux group. The reproductive characteristics were no different for the 170 lux, 300 lux, or 430 lux light groups. The hatchability in the 170 lux light group was significantly higher than in the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the egg weight in the 170 lux and 430 lux groups was significantly heavier than the 40 lux light group (P < 0.05). Therefore, if lighting intensity supplementation of lux is defined as X (lux/geese), and egg number production is defined as Y₄ (egg), then Y₄ = 35.7 + 0.46X-0.002X²+0.00000296X³ (R² = 0.868, P < 0.001) for the entire experimental period. In conclusion, geese raised under 170 lux lighting intensity in an environmentally controlled house achieved higher hatchability and egg weight during the laying season.     

A comparison of the effects of feeding treatments and lighting on age at first egg and subsequent laying performance and carcase composition of broiler breeder hens

The effects of the growth curve from 15 to 20 weeks, age at photostimulation and pattern of photostimulus on sexual maturity, egg production and egg weight were evaluated in two trials with broiler breeder females to 56 and 34 weeks of age (housed in litter pens and individually caged, respectively). Carcase composition and reproductive morphology of hens varying in laying efficiency were measured in the second trial. Trial 1: Four growth curves were applied from 15 to 20 weeks to pullets housed in litter pens. Birds were transferred from 8- to 10-h photoperiods at 20 or 24 weeks of age, followed by weekly increments of one hour to reach a 16-h final photoperiod. Lower-than-recommended body weights at 20 weeks significantly delayed sexual maturity, reduced peak rate of lay, total eggs and mean egg weight. However, double-yolked egg production was lower, resulting in non-significant differences in settable egg numbers between body weight treatments. Birds reared to the heaviest body weight exhibited a significantly advanced sexual maturity, but total egg numbers, peak rate of lay and mean egg weight were not significantly affected. However, the laying of more double-yolked eggs resulted in a decrease in the number of settable eggs. Delaying photostimulation to 24 weeks significantly retarded sexual maturity, reduced total and settable egg numbers, and increased mean egg weight. A tendency for fewer double-yolked eggs was observed. Trial 2: At 19 weeks, birds were selected from the 4 body weight categories in Trial 1 and moved to individual cages in 8 rooms. Five lighting programmes were applied. The pattern of photostimulation applied did not affect any of the production traits measured. At 34 weeks, 24 birds were selected for the analysis of reproductive morphology, presence of internal or multiple ovulations, and carcase composition. Eight hens showing an early age at first egg and regular egg production records, 8 birds showing erratic laying performance and 8 non-layers were killed for this purpose. There were no differences in carcase composition or reproductive morphology between these groups. No internal ovulations or double or multiple ovarian hierarchies were observed. The results presented confirm that broiler breeders do not require a lighting stimulus in order to initiate ovarian activity and that, where no lighting stimulus is given, body weight or feeding level plays a critical role in stimulating the birds to attain sexual maturity. However, when a lighting stimulus is given, factors such as body weight and body composition become relatively less important in regulating the age at sexual maturity.     

Effect of low light and high noise on behavioural activity, physiological indicators of stress and production in laying hens

1. Commercial laying hens are commonly housed in noisy and dim environments, yet relatively little is known about whether these conditions, particularly in combination, have any effect on welfare or egg production.

2. The study was designed to investigate whether chronic exposure to continuous noise (60?dB(A) vs. 80?dB(A)) and/or light intensity (150?lux vs. 5?lux) during the critical period of coming into lay (16–24 weeks of age) influenced behaviour (activity, resting and feather maintenance), physiological stress (plasma corticosterone and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio) and production (number and weight of eggs laid) in laying hens.

3. Hens in the low light pens were less active and preened and dust-bathed more than those housed in 150?lux; hens in the high noise pens rested more frequently than those in quieter pens.

4. There was no evidence that chronic exposure to low light or high noise caused appreciable physiological stress but egg production was affected by these conditions. Hens kept in pens with low light or high noise laid fewer eggs per day than those kept in high light or low noise pens. These effects were additive, so that the fewest eggs were laid by hens subject to both low light and high noise.

5. These results show that low light intensity and continual high background noise have a detrimental effect on egg production in the early laying phase as well as influencing the time allocated to different behaviours. However there was no strong evidence for a physiological stress response to either of these conditions or their combination.     

Illuminance,sexual maturation,and early egg production in female broiler breeders

1. Broiler breeders were reared at an initial illuminance of 13, 21 or 44 lux and transferred at 20 weeks and a mean body weight of 2.06 kg to floor pens at 25, 55 or 71 lux, or to individual cages at various intensities between 3 and 138 lux.

2. Rate of sexual maturation was not significantly affected by the light intensity experienced during the rearing period, but was progressively accelerated by the provision of a brighter illuminance after 20 weeks, up to a ceiling of about 14 lux. There was no interaction between the pre- and post-20-week illuminance.

3. Cumulative egg numbers to 39 weeks were unaffected by illuminance in the rearing period, positively correlated with illuminance post 20 weeks up to an asymptote at about 8 lux, and highly correlated with age at sexual maturity. Peak rate of lay was both delayed and depressed at 3 lux.

4. It is concluded that the minimum light intensity required at bird-head height to achieve satisfactory photostimulation and an optimal peak rate of lay in broiler breeders is 10 lux, but that a higher illuminance would be prudent for broiler breeders kept in floor pen facilities to maximise nest-box usage.     

New intermittent lighting programme (the reading system) for laying pullets

1. Two intermittent lighting systems for laying hens are: the Biomittent system, using an asymmetric pattern of 0.25L:0.75D for 16 h followed by 8D, which entrains oviposition to 24 h cycles and, compared with standard lighting programmes, gives the same egg number and egg size but a smaller feed cost, and a symmetrical system (4[3L:3D]) which allows intervals between ovipositions to stretch, giving bigger eggs with thicker shells, but yielding fewer eggs and achieving no saving in food intake.

2. A new system was devised to combine the increased egg size and shell thickness, characteristic of symmetrical intermittent lighting programmes, with the reduction in food intake which is a feature of programmes that reduce total activity time. The pattern tested was 24(0.25L:0.75D).

3. The results of 2 trials showed that this new system gives about 2% fewer eggs than conventional (Step Up) or Biomittent lighting with a 2% increase in mean egg size and a 3% improvement in shell thickness at the end of the laying year. Feed consumption with the new system was similar to that under Biomittent lighting and 6% lower than that recorded for Step Up lighting.

4. Mortality was lower with the new system than with Step Up lighting, but not significantly so. From the evidence of other trials it is argued that intermittent lighting programmes which provide less than 8 h total illumination in 24 h generally reduce laying house mortality and may be regarded as beneficial to the welfare of the hen.     

Effect of light,vitamin d and dietary phosphorus on egg‐shell quality late in the pullet laying year

1. Eighteen diets supplying all combinations of three phosphorus contents (3.1, 4.0 and 4.8 g non‐phytate P/kg) and six vitamin D supplements (37.5 or 150 μg cholecalciferol/kg; or 16 or 24 μg 25‐hydroxy‐cholecalciferol/kg; or 37.5 μg cholecalciferol/kg with either 16 or 24 μg 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol/kg) were fed to 2 880 pullets of two stocks from 64 to 74 weeks of age. The birds were housed in eight light‐proof rooms, four of which had 24‐h light‐dark cycles (16L : 8D) and four had 28‐h cycles (20L : 8D).

2. The dietary treatments had no significant effect upon food intake, egg output, shell thickness, shell deformation or specific gravity of the eggs.

3. The 28‐h cycle reduced mean rate of lay by 4.5%, increased egg weight by 5.8% and increased shell thickness by 9.4%. The proportion of eggs with shell faults revealed on candling was reduced from 4.1 % to 2.8%.

4. It is concluded from this and other sources that decreasing dietary phosphorus or modifying vitamin D supplements may sometimes lead to increases in shell thickness of the order of 1 to 2%, but that these changes are unlikely to result in a measurable reduction in the proportion of cracked eggs late in the laying year.

5. A 28‐h light‐dark cycle results in a longer and more uniform interval between consecutive ovipositions and thus gives reliable increases in shell thickness which are large enough to reduce the proportion of cracked eggs in many practical situations. Whether it is profitable to use an ahemeral cycle will depend upon the relative prices paid for eggs of different sizes.     

Feeding motivation on the incidence of floor eggs and extraneously calcified eggs laid by broiler breeder hens

1. Commercial broiler breeder hens lay many eggs on the floor rather than in nest boxes provided. A study was conducted to determine whether feeding feed-restricted broiler breeder hens during the sitting phase of nesting results in a higher incidence of floor eggs and/or retained eggs. 2. Sixty broiler breeder females (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to 6 deep litter pens containing 10 nest-boxes. At 35 weeks of age and for 9 weeks, feed was distributed to all pens at lights-on every second day (fed normally, FN). On alternate days (feeding delay, FD), feed was distributed when 2-3 hens/pen were sitting in a nest box. Behaviour was sampled at 41 weeks of age, for 26 d. Eggs and egg location data were collected daily, and eggs were scored for extra-cuticular calcium. 3. Of 81 instances in which the hen was sitting firmly in a nest box at the time of feeding, on 80 instances the hen left the nest-box to feed, and on one instance the hen laid her egg then exited to the feeder. Of these 80 instances, on 58 occasions the hen returned to a nest-box to lay her egg; on 12 the hen returned to the nest-box but laid no egg; on 7 the hen did not return to the nest box and laid no egg; and on three the hen laid her egg on the floor. 4. Mean floor egg percentage was 13·3 ± 3·2% on FN and 13·3 ± 4·7% on FD days; these did not differ significantly. 5. The mean extra-cuticular calcium score over all pens was 0·9 ± 0·06 on FN days and 1·2 ± 0·06 on FD days; these differed significantly. 6. In conclusion, feeding broiler breeder hens during nesting results in a conflict between feeding and nesting motivation and higher numbers of extraneously calcified eggs, but does not result in a significant increase in floor eggs even though nesting hens will leave the nest box for food.     

Effect of intensity of eggshell pigment and illuminated incubation on hatchability of brown eggs

The effects of intensity of brown eggshell pigment (light (LBP), medium (MBP) and dark (DBP)) and light intensity during incubation (low and high, 900 to 1380 and 1430 to 2080 lux, respectively) on eggshell characteristics, embryonic growth, hatchability traits, chick hatching weight and hatching time were investigated using eggs from a meat-type breeder (Hybro) flock at 32, 36 and 41 weeks of age in three trials. With eggs of similar weights the intensity of brown pigment was not associated with eggshell weight and thickness, and did not influence embryo weight and egg weight loss during incubation. The shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by young hens influenced the percentage hatchability (HP) of eggs incubated under light. Illuminated incubation improved HP of LBP eggs (compared with MBP and DBP eggs) from 32- and 36-week-old hens, but had no significant effect on HP of eggs from 41-week-old hens. Light intensity during incubation did not influence egg weight loss. High intensity of light during incubation reduced HP and increased early death percentage (EDP) in the LBP and MBP groups, and did not influence HP and EDP in the DBP group. Brown eggshell pigment and intensity of light during incubation did not influence hatching time. It is concluded that the shade of brown pigment, intensity of light during incubation and age of the breeder hens influenced the hatchability performance of embryos from brown eggs. Light during incubation improved the hatchability of embryos in light brown eggs laid by young hens and the shade of brown pigment of eggs laid by older hens did not influence hatchability under illuminated incubation. High intensity of light during incubation reduced hatchability of light and medium brown eggs, but not the dark brown eggs.     

Effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on egg shell quality and egg production

1. The effect of replacing dietary cholecalciferol (D3) by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) on egg shell quality and egg production was tested on 32-week-old White Leghorn laying hens over 9 weeks. 2. Hens fed on a diet supplemented with 5 micrograms 1,25-(OH)2D3/kg diet, tended to lay more eggs, and the eggs had significantly higher specific gravity and percentage shell than eggs from control hens fed on a diet supplemented with 27.5 micrograms D3/kg diet. 3. The effect became apparent after about 4 weeks of treatment and persisted until the end of the test. 4. Hens fed on a diet without D3 supplement started to lay very thin or soft shelled eggs within 4 weeks, suggesting that the birds' reserves of D3 or its metabolites were depleted within this period. 5. The results suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 can be substituted for D3 in layer diets to improve egg shell quality.     

Effect of moving dawn, dusk, or both on oviposition time in domestic laying hens

1. Lohmann Brown pullets were reared on 8-h photoperiods and transferred to 12 h at 15 weeks by either advancing dawn or delaying dusk by 4 h. At 25 weeks, half of each group was transferred to 16 h by advancing dawn or delaying dusk and, 10 d later, each photoperiod-group was advanced or delayed 4 h by moving both dawn and dusk. Individual oviposition times were recorded over 48 h at 25 weeks and 8-10 d after each lighting change. 2. At 25 weeks, there were no differences in mean time of oviposition, eggs laid in the modal 8 h, or in the proportion of eggs laid before dawn between pullets that had been given a 4-h increase in daylength at 15 weeks by advancing dawn and those photostimulated by delaying dusk. 3. Extensions of the daylength from 12 to 16 h at 25 weeks, whether by advancing dawn or by delaying dusk, delayed mean oviposition time by 2 h and virtually eliminated egg-laying before dawn. All groups laid > or = 94% of eggs in the modal 8 h. 4. Moving the complete 12- or 16-h photoperiod forwards by 4 h delayed egg-laying by 0.5 h (relative to dawn), whilst moving them backwards advanced it by 0.7 h. Pullets given 16 h of light laid very few eggs before lights-on, but the divergent movements in oviposition time, relative to dawn, resulted in more eggs being laid before lights-on when the 12-h photoperiod was moved backwards and fewer eggs when it was moved forwards. However, a slower adjustment to the new times of dawn and dusk by the pullets whose day had been moved forward, as indicated by fewer eggs being laid in the modal 8 h and poorer rates of lay compared with pullets that had their photoperiod moved backwards, may explain these differences. It is doubtful that the differences would have persisted after all birds had adjusted their ovulatory cycle, and so any reduction in pre-dawn egg-laying is likely to have been transitory. 5. The only permanent way to minimise pre-dawn egg-laying in brown-egg hybrids is to provide a photoperiod of at least 16 h, though 14-15 h may be long enough for white-egg hybrids and 12-13 h sufficient for broiler breeders.