Effects of UVB light on laying hens and eggshell quality

Abstract

The effects of UVB lights on laying hens and eggshell quality were investigated in this study. UVB light treatment was provided by Philips TL 20W/12 RS SLV/25 tube light. The lights were on 2x30 min per day and were turned on during feeding. It was placed at the front centre of each cage such that the feet were exposed to the light. The daily exposure of UVB light on hens will be 1147 mJ/cm2. Both the baseline value and room without UVB light served as the control to assess the effect of light. In additional to baseline sampling, the sample were collected after 4weeks and 14 weeks. The current study demonstrated that exposure of UVB light on laying hens had no effects on the eggshell quality of eggs. Additional treatment with UVB radiation could not further improve the quality of eggs including weight, length, diameter, eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength and percentage of the shell. Eggshell formation and stability totally depends upon vitamin D status. There was no any impact of UVB radiation on laying hens’ performance, egg weight, eggshell quality and thickness. The weight and size of the eggs increases with production time. The eggshell breaking strength is related to eggshell thickness and eggshell weight.