Hens Lay Better When a Light Bulb Increases Length of Day, Extension Researchers Prove at NCSU, Feb. 11, 1921

“Lay eggs while the sun shines,” is the slogan apparently adopted by a pen of 30 Rhode Island hens at the State College poultry plant, according to Dr. B.F. Kaupp, w2ho hjas just completed an experiment with artificial light extending over a period of one year.

Two flocks of 30 hens each were given the same amount of feedstuff and identical care and attention. One pen was lighted with a 120 watt electric light from sundown until about 9:30 p.m., or long enough to give the hens 15 hours of light in which to work. The other pen was not lighted, the hens being kept under natural conditions.

The flock given 15 hours of light, day and and artificial, laid 147 eggs per hen. The other flock averaged 104 eggs. The greatest gain occurred during November, December, January and February, the season when eggs are scarce and high. During this period 60 per cent of the flock under light laid regularly, while only 10 per cent of the flock under natural conditions produced.

While the results of Dr. Kaupp’s experiments will be hailed with joy by poultry raisers and millions of consumers may rise up to call him blessed, the jokesmiths will not doubt learn about the explosion of their most ancient joke with considerable dismay.

Since the day Adam ate the apple, a favorite yarn on the minstrel stage has been about the farmer who fooled his hens into laying twice a day by keeping a light burning in his hen house at night.

From the front page of the Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Feb. 11, 1921