Effects of photoperiod on ovarian morphology and carcass traits at sexual maturity in pullets.

ABSTRACT

This paper is concerned with the effects of photoperiod on ovarian morphology and carcass traits at sexual maturity in egg-type hens. Two hundred fifty-six commercial egg-type pullets were initially subjected to a photoperiod of 23L1D, which was reduced to 22L2D at 1 wk, to 18L6D at 2 wk, and to 16L8D at 3 wk. From 4 to 20 wk, the photoperiod was 8L16D. At 20 wk, 32 pullets were individually caged in individually lit cages, with 8 cages per unit. Two cage units were placed into 4 photoperiods of 17L7D, 15L9D, 13L11D, and 11L13D, respectively. Each bird was processed when it reached sexual maturity (SM), and carcass and ovarian morphology were assessed. The results showed that photoperiod had an effect on the timing of SM, and the age at first egg was 5.7 d earlier for hens exposed to the 17L7D photoperiod than the 11L13D photoperiod. However, photoperiod had no effect on BW at SM. A photoperiod of 11L13D limited ovarian follicle formation and increased carcass protein and lipid compared with birds on longer photoperiods, whereas the 17L7D photoperiod restricted ovary and oviduct full development. These results indicated that excessively long and short photoperiods can restrict reproductive development in egg-type hens.