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Effect of Monochromatic Light on the Egg Quality of Laying Hens

D. Er^*,, Z. Wang^*, J. Cao^* and Y. Chen^*,1

^* Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Animal Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100094, China; and Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Animal Science and Medicine, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China

Correspondence: ¹ Corresponding author: yxchen{at}cau.edu.cn

The chicken eye can discriminate light color, and different light wavelengths affect egg quality. In this study, we used blue (B), green (G), and red (R) light produced by light-emitting diode lamps, as well as incandescent light (W) to illuminate Hy-Line Brown hens from 19 to 52 wk. All light sources were equalized to a light intensity of 15 lx and applied for 16 h daily. The results showed that egg weight in W light (61.1 g) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than those in R light (59.2 g) throughout the experimental stage. Beginning at the age of 30 wk, egg weight in R light was consistently smaller than those in other lights. The egg length in B light was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than those in other lights, and its width was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than those in W light from 38 to 52 wk. The egg width in R light was significantly (P < 0.01) shorter than those in W light and to a lesser extent (P < 0.05) shorter than those in B and G lights from 19 to 52 wk. Similarly, eggshell strength in G light was significantly (P < 0.01) better than those in W and B lights, and eggshell thickness in G light was significantly (P < 0.05) better than those in other lights from 21 to 45 wk. Our results indicate that egg weight in R light was less than those in other lights, the egg length and egg width in B light became shorter, and the egg width in R light became shorter with age; the egg quality in G light was found to be the best.

Key Words: monochromatic light • egg weight • eggshell index • eggshell quality • laying hen

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