Estudio retrospectivo de la influencia del ciclo lunar sobre la producción de huevos fértiles en gallinas reproductoras pesadas en una granja comercial en el período 2016 a 2021

Abstract

In this study, the data from a commercial farm of heavy breeding hens of the Cobb 500 breed located in Santa Isabel municipality, in the Azuay province was analyzed to determine the influence of the lunar cycle from 2016 to 2021. Records from 16 flocks were analyzed; each with 3 sheds, with a total of 48 production sheds. According to the lunar cycle, the moonlight ratio was divided in: 1) two phases (waxing and waning) and 2) eight periods of approximately 3.7 days each. In the two phases, the results showed a significantly greater influence of the moon at the time of fertilization for the variables: egg production per day, laying percentage, non-hatching eggs, cracked eggs, hatching eggs, percentage of hatching eggs, and female mortality, with a greater influence during the waxing phase. The influence of the moon at the time of laying was significant for the quantity of non-hatching eggs, double-yolk eggs, cracked eggs, and percentage of hatching eggs. For the 8 periods, it was evident that at the time of fertilization the moon influenced egg production, laying percentage, non-hatching eggs, cracked eggs, hatching eggs and mortality of females more strongly (P<0,0001) than at the time of laying (P<0,05). In conclusion, the lunar cycle had a much more significant influence at the time of fertilization than at the time of laying, showing a long-term effect at conception on several productive parameters in hens laying fertile eggs.