EFFECTS OF NORMAL SINUSOIDAL ELECTRICAL V OLTAGE AND IMPULSES THE BEHAVIOR AND PERFORMANCE OF LAYING HENS

The effects of normal sinusoidal electrical voltages and impulses on l aying hens between 23 and 48 wk of age were evaluated. One hundred and twenty hens were caged individually in six blocks of 20 animals each. Within each block, the treatments were distributed in a randomized co mplete blocks design. Electrical voltages of constant amplitude of 0-3 V, 4-6 V and 7-9 V were applied in exp. 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Vol tage differences with random amplitudes of 0-9 V were applied at a fre quency of one pulse every 10 s in exp. 4 and a frequency of two pulses every 10 s in exp. 5. In exp. 6, the hens were subjected to voltages of 12-18 V at a frequency of one pulse every 10 s. In exp. 7, hens wer e placed three per cage and received either 0 or 12 V with one pulse e very 10 s. All voltages were applied between the metallic nipple drink er and the metallic cage. Daily water and feed intake, laying rate and behavior of the hens were measured. These voltages did not affect fee d or water consumption, laying rate or egg quality. Frequency of eatin g and drinking behavior, time spent eating and drinking and time spent standing or sitting were not affected by the treatment. Although poor performance of farm animals is occasionally attributed to stray elect rical voltages, in this experiment, voltage differences as high as 18 V had no effect on the hens' production and behavior.