GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF CHICKENS SUBJECTED TO MICROWAVE RADIATION

Abstract

White Leghorn hybrid chickens of different ages were subjected to CW microwave radiations at a frequency of 6 GHz and at densities of 0.02 and 400 picowatts/cm 3 . Microwaves were produced by a Varian LD 807 travelling wave tube. Continuous or periodic exposure of chickens during the growing stage did not affect their growth or feed conversion efficiency in comparison with non-treated controls. Hens subjected continuously, from 1 day old, to microwave treatment at the low or high densities showed significantly higher percent hen-day rate of lay, during 169 to 476 days of age, and significantly lower egg weight than the untreated birds. The low-density treatment resulted in significantly higher fertility than the high level of treatment. Egg quality, mortality and several other traits studied were unaffected by the treatments.