Effect of Light Intensity and Source on Tom Reproduction

Two sources of light and two light intensities were applied to 72 Large White toms housed in 12 pens from 28 weeks of age through six months of semen production (June – November). Treatments were (1) natural light supplemented with 5.3 lux, (2) natural light supplemented with 43 lux, (3) artificial light at 5.3 lux, and (4) artificial light at 43 lux. All light treatments provided 14 hours of light in a 24-hour day. Pooled semen from each torn pen was used to inseminate replicate pens of hens every two weeks. Light treatments had no significant effect on percent fertility, hatch of fertile eggs, or hatch of all eggs set. Toms subjected to artificial light as the only source produced significantly more semen than toms exposed to natural light (maximum intensity 2700 lux) supplemented with artificial light. There were no significant interactions between light source and intensity as to sperm concentration or sperm per ejaculate.