EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE RADIATION ON GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION OF TWO STOCKS OF CHICKENS

Abstract

White Leghorn hybrid and broiler type chickens were subjected to continuous wave (CW) microwave radiations, at a frequency of 6 GHz and at densities of 0.02 and 400 pw/cm2. The birds were exposed continuously from hatching, throughout the growing and reproductive period, to 420 days of age for broiler-type stock and to 476 days of age for egg-type stock. Microwave treatment of birds had no significant effect on growth rate, feed efficiency, egg production and quality, hatchability, and mortality in either type or stock.