Effeets of Light Length and Intensity during the Laying Period on Egg Production Characteristics of Japanese Quail

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to clarify the effects of light length and intensity during the laying period on egg production characteristics of Japanese quail. In experiment 1, 612 36-day-old quail were divided into 9 groups, accomodated in feeding apparatuses with light-dark controlling and ventilating facility, and raised for a 7 months period under 9 light lengths (hour, L) and light intensity (lux, I) as 12L-3I, 12L-43I, 12L-83I, 18L-3I, 18L-43I, 18L-83I, 24L-3I, 24L-43I, 24L-83I. Quail which had been reared at 24L-15 to 30I and 39 to 25°C, were use. This experiment was repeated with the same conditions. Experiment 2 was conducted by 3 repetitions to define the effects of light length in experiment 1. In each repetition, 340 quail of the same condition as experiment 1 were raised for an 11 months period under 5 light lengths (hour, L)-dark lengths (hour, D) as 14L-10D, 16L-8D, 18L-6D, 20L-4D and 24L-0D. The light intensity for all the above light lengths was maintained at 3 luxes. A variance analysis was used for the analysis of data obtained. Tne results were as follows:1) It was shown as the results of experiment 1 that only the viability of the quail was influenced by both the light length and intensity, and it decreased with lengthening of light length from 12 to 24L, and with increasing of light intensity from 3 to 83I respectively. On the other egg production characteristics, the effect of light length was significant, but no significant effect of light intensity was found.2) The highest egg production rate was found in the quail at a 20L of light length. Throughout experiment 1 and 2, the rate decreased with the increasing and decreasing of light length from 18L and 20L.3) Egg weight was made heavier with the increasing of the length-up of the light length from 12 to 24L.4) Feed intake increased with the above same conditions.5) The highest feed efficiency was obtained in the case of a 20L of the light length. In a shorter and longer length, the efficiency was decreased.6) On the subject of the total number of egg and the total weight of egg laid by 68 quail of the begining time of experiments and during the 7 and 11 month experimental term, almost the same reaction in the egg production rate and the feed efficiency was observed.7) From these results, the most suitable light length and the moderate light intensity during laying period for the egg production in Japanese quail is considered to be 20 hours, and 3 luxes or thereabout respectively.