Feeding activity and egg formation in hens lit continuously

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Abstract
1. The feeding patterns of five laying hens were examined in Skinner boxes under conditions of continuous light. 2. Four of the birds maintained a circadian rhythm, in two the rhythm was 24 h while in the other two it was slightly in excess of 24 h. 3. In all birds, feeding activity was less in the 12 h before oviposition than in the 12 h after. 4. When only the first egg of a clutch was considered, it was found that a low level of feeding activity was associated with the release of luteinising hormone (32 h before oviposition), there was then a sharp increase at ovulation to a new level which was maintained from about 23 to 18 h before oviposition and then a decline in feeding occurred until a few hours before laying. 5. There was variation in the amount of feeding activity shown in the few hours before oviposition.