Behavioral patterns associated with oviposition in Japanese quail and chickens

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Abstract
The relation of time of oviposition to transient peaks in body temperature was studied in Coturnix (Japanese quail) under different photoperiods and intensities. Other diurnal patterns such as feeding, drinking and locomotor activity were measured for Coturnix and chickens and related to time of oviposition. Feeding, drinking and locomotor activity in Coturnix are closely related to the light period of the day. Increased periods of feeding and drinking occur shortly after the onset of light and during a period of 3 hours prior to darkness. A significant increase in body temperature in the Coturnix began about 1 hour prior to oviposition, with the peak being reached at time of oviposition. This phenomenon was evident even when the photoperiod was changed from continuous to intermittent light. Both peaks were displaced in time approximately 2 hours each day, i.e., a 26‐hour rhythm. There was a definite decrease in feed and water consumption in laying chickens some 3 hours pre‐oviposition, with the greatest decrease occurring during the final hour preceding oviposition. Laying hens consume much more feed than do nonlaying hens, but frequency of drinking was approximately the same.