Methods for growth stimulation
The present invention provides methods for exposing an avian embryo to light during incubation. The methods may be used to increase a bird's weight, increase muscle weight in a bird, and decrease the mortality rate of a bird.
1 . A method for exposing an embryo to light, the method comprising exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and dark period.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 nanometers (nm) to no greater than about 590 nm.
6 - 11 . (canceled)
12 . A method for increasing a bird's weight, the method comprising:
exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and
hatching the egg, wherein the bird that hatches from the egg has a greater weight at about 28 days after hatching compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod.
14 . The method of claim 13 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.
15 . The method of claim 13 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.
16 . The method of claim 13 wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.
17 . The method of claim 12 wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 mm to no greater than about 590 nm.
18 - 24 . (canceled)
25 . A method for increasing muscle weight in a bird, the method comprising:
exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and
hatching the egg, wherein the bird that hatches from the egg has greater muscle weight at about 28 days after hatching compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.
26 . The method of claim 25 wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod
27 . The method of claim 26 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.
28 . The method of claim 26 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.
29 . The method of claim 26 wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.
30 . The method of claim 25 wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 nm to no greater than about 590 nm.
31 .- 38 . (canceled)
39 . A method for decreasing a mortality rate of a bird, the method comprising:
exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and
hatching the egg, wherein the mortality rate of a bird that hatches from the egg has a lower mortality rate compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.
40 . The method of claim 39 wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod.
41 . The method of claim 40 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.
42 . The method of claim 40 wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.
43 . The method of claim 40 wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.
44 - 51 . (canceled)