Effect of intensity of lighting on egg production and ovipositional rhythm in Japanese quail

为了阐明光照强度与日本鹌鹑（Coturnix Coturnix Japonica）产蛋量的关系，于1986 ~ 1987年进行了试验。到目前为止，强度还没有被认为是影响家禽产蛋量的重要环境因素。实验结果表明，光照强度对日本鹌鹑产蛋率及光周期有较大影响。结果总结如下：1。实验一：用120只鹌鹑，在1500勒克斯、770勒克斯和77勒克斯3种光强条件下，连续13周对日本鹌鹑的产蛋率和产卵节律进行了研究。在1500和770勒克斯强度下，光合速率约为95%，在最低强度下，光合速率为89%，在5%强度下显著降低。在最低光强下，产卵节律的诱导程度也较低。试验二：在55 ~ 75勒克斯、25勒克斯和6勒克斯3种条件下，研究低强度对77母鸡产蛋量和产卵节律的影响。低强度饲养的母鸡产蛋率显著低于55 ~ 75勒克斯组的1%，并表现出自由奔跑的产卵节奏。实验一：在800勒克斯、400勒克斯、200勒克斯和50勒克斯条件下，对144只鸡20周的产蛋率和产卵节律进行了研究。在800勒克斯高强度下，前4周产卵率较高，随后随时间的延长产卵率逐渐降低。相反，在400勒克斯和200勒克斯下，产蛋率在20周内变化较小，保持较高水平。试验二：光照前半期或中期光照强度较高时，光照强度对蛋鸡产蛋量的促进作用更为明显。

This experiment was conducted from 1986 to 1987 to clarify the relationship between the egg production in Japanese quail(Coturnix coturnix Japonica) and the intensity of lighting. Hitherto, the intensity have not been considered as an important environmental factor on the egg production of poultry. Results of the experiments showed that the light intensity greatly affected on the egg productivity of Japanese quail, well as photoperiod. The results are summarized as follow;1. Results obrained in 1986Experiment I: Using 120 birds, the rates of egg-laying and ovipositional rhythm of Japanese quail were investigated for 13 weeks under the 3 confitions of photo-intensity, 1500 lux, 770 lux, and 77 lux. Under the intensity of 1500 and 770 lux, the rates were about 95 %, while under the lowest intensity, the rate of was 89 %, significantly lower at 5 % level. Also the degree of entrainment of ovipositional rhythms was lower under the lowest photo-intensity.Experiment II: Hens of 77 were examined the effect of lower level of intensity on egg production and ovipositional rhythm under the 3 conditions of 55-75 lux, 25 lux, and 6 lux. The hens reared at the lowest intensity produced fewer egg, significantly lower at 1 % level than group under 55-75 lux, and showed a free running ovipositional rhythm.2. Results obtained in 1987Experiment I: Using 144 birds, the rates of egg-laying and ovipositional rhythm were investigated for 20 weeks under 800 lux, 400 lux, 200 lux, and 50 lux. Under the high intensity of 800 lux, the rate of laying was high during the first 4 weeks, and then decreased with time. Contrarily, there was less change and kept high level in the rate of laying under 400 lux and 200 lux during 20 weeks.Experiment II: The enhansing effect of light intensity on the egg production became more obvious when the hens were exposured to the high intensity during the initial half or middle period of lighting.