Participation of the Eyes in the Photostimulation of Chickens

Abstract This study examined the participation of the eyes in the photosexual response of chickens to incandescent and fluorescent light. Intact and blinded female chickens were exposed to short photoperiods (8L:16D) of incandescent and fluorescent light and the age at first egg and rate of egg production were determined. Incandescent light was inhibitory to the age at first egg and the early rate of egg production. Blinding prevented this response. It was concluded that the eye is not essential to the photosexual reponse of chickens but that it may modify the response to light in certain conditions.