Characteristics of oviposition patterns of turkey hens and the influence of different wavelengths of light.

Abstract

1. Characteristics of individual oviposition patterns of turkey breeder hens were determined for 160 d of photostimulation with fluorescent blue, green or red light and with incandescent light. 2. In all treatments most eggs were laid during the afternoon and evening. The maximum frequency occurred at 14.00 to 15.00 h (8 to 9 h after light onset); about 15% of all eggs were laid in the dark period. 3. The hourly oviposition distribution remained unchanged and was specific to individual hens throughout the study period. However, it was highly variable between hens, ranging from highly dispersed to tightly clustered. 4. The total number of clutches per hen did not differ between treatments and eggs were laid in relatively short clutches; 65% were of two eggs or fewer, 30% of three to 5 eggs and only 5% of 6 eggs or more. 5. The oviposition time of the first egg in a clutch was very variable; however, oviposition time became more clustered and uniform as the position of the egg in a clutch increased. 6. Mean time of lay, mean interval between eggs and total lag time were not influenced by light treatment. Mean interval was about 27 h for all eggs and was not influenced by clutch size. 7. Light quality at the intensity used in this study did not appear to play an important role in oviposition patterns of turkey hens.