Model for the prediction of mean time of oviposition for hens kept in different light and dark cycles

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Abstract
1. Evidence from 26 short‐term experiments with laying fowls has been analysed to determine the relationship between onset of darkness and mean time of oviposition for light‐dark cycles ranging from 21 h to 30 h incorporating various dark periods from 5 h up to 23 h. 2. When the light‐dark cycle is equal to or longer than 24 h, mean time of lay (H) in hours from onset of darkness is predicted by the equation: H=64.62–2.161C + 0.268S, where C = cycle length (h) and S=scotoperiod (h) (multiple correlation coefficient=0.977). 3. For light‐dark cycles shorter than 24 h, the best equation found was: H=‐4.97 + 0.740C + 4.482S‐0.175CS (multiple correlation coefficient=0.981). 4. The meaning of these equations in relation to events in the ovulation cycle of the fowl is discussed.