Performance of Laying Hens Maintained in Colony Cages under Low Intensity “Panelescent Tape-Lites”

This investigation was undertaken to determine the effects of red, blue, green and white phosphor “Panelescent tape-lites” on egg production, feed consumption, body weight and incidence of feather pulling of laying hens maintained in colony cages. PROCEDURE Cage reared White Leghorn Strain Cross hens were maintained in an environmentally controlled windowless facility divided into eight light proof rooms. Each room contained two 106.7 X 121.0 cm. colony cages. At 26 weeks of age, hens reared under incandescent light, were randomly assigned to cages of fourteen hens each. One “Panelescent tape-lite” 213 cm. in length, utilizing 0.33 watts of electricity per 30.5 cm. was placed in each.pen over the colony cages in such a manner as to illuminate the “Peck-a-Drink” watering system. Two replicates of each of the following colored tapes were used; red, green, blue, and white. Intensity was measured at 2.1 lux 5 cm. below the light source, thus,…