Methods for growth stimulation

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for exposing an avian embryo to light during incubation. The methods may be used to increase a bird's weight, increase muscle weight in a bird, and decrease the mortality rate of a bird.

1 . A method for exposing an embryo to light, the method comprising exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and dark period.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 nanometers (nm) to no greater than about 590 nm.  
   
   
       6 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method for increasing a bird's weight, the method comprising: 
 exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and    hatching the egg, wherein the bird that hatches from the egg has a greater weight at about 28 days after hatching compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 mm to no greater than about 590 nm.  
   
   
       18 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . A method for increasing muscle weight in a bird, the method comprising: 
 exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and    hatching the egg, wherein the bird that hatches from the egg has greater muscle weight at about 28 days after hatching compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26  wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the monochromatic light comprises a peak wavelength of at least about 500 nm to no greater than about 590 nm.  
   
   
       31 .- 38 . (canceled)  
   
   
       39 . A method for decreasing a mortality rate of a bird, the method comprising: 
 exposing an egg to a monochromatic light for a photoperiod; and    hatching the egg, wherein the mortality rate of a bird that hatches from the egg has a lower mortality rate compared to a bird that hatches from an egg not exposed to the monochromatic light.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the photoperiod is an intermittent photoperiod comprising a light period and a dark photoperiod.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 3 minutes.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein each light period and each dark period are each independently at least about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 40  wherein each light period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes, and wherein each dark period comprises a period of about 3 to about 15 minutes.  
   
   
       44 - 51 . (canceled)