EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE RADIATIONS ON HATCHABILITY AND GROWTH IN CHICKENS AND TURKEYS

Abstract

In five experiments chick and turkey embryos, at different stages of development, were subjected to low density microwave radiations of 0.2 mw/cm2 or a trace density below 0.05 mw/cm2 and at a frequency of 6 GHz. In two other experiments, chick embryos, during the 1st 2 days of development, were subjected to high density microwave radiations ranging from 0.051 w/cm2 to 1.02 w/cm2 and at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, for various times of exposure. All radiations were continuous wave (cw). Results show that the above low density radiations had no significant effect on hatchability or growth of chickens and turkeys to 2 wk of age. The high density treatments, ranging from 0.246 w/cm2 to 1.02 w/cm2, resulted in reduced hatch-ability of chicken eggs. The magnitude of this effect increased with age of embryo, with density of radiation and with length of exposure.