Effect of Wave Length of Light on Growth and Reproduction in Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

LITERATURE on the effect of wave length (visible spectrum) on growth and reproduction in the fowl is limited and contradictory. Benoit and Ott (1944) found that gonadal development in the duck responded chiefly to the red wave lengths. Scott and Payne (1937) reported that subjecting immature turkeys to white light or the long wave lengths of red induced sexual maturity months in advance of the breeding season. In contrast to the above results, age at sexual maturity in the chicken is hastened by short wave lengths (blue and green), according to reports by Lauber (1965), Harrison et al. (1966), and McGinnis (1967). Donovan et al. (1965) reported an increase in production of gonadotropins by chickens receiving blue light. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different wave lengths of visible light, of known filtering characteristics, on growth and reproduction in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)…