Note: This study found no significant biological effects under its experimental conditions. We include all studies for scientific completeness.
EXPOSURE OF CHICKEN EGGS TO AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD PRIOR TO INCUBATION
No Effects Found
Patricia Y. Hester, B.B. Bohren · 1978
Brief electromagnetic field exposure up to 160 gauss had zero effect on chicken egg hatching success, contradicting patent claims.
Plain English Summary
Summary written for general audiences
Researchers exposed chicken eggs to electromagnetic fields of up to 160 gauss for 3 seconds each before incubation, then measured hatching rates and chick weights. The study found no effects on hatchability, body weight, or hatching time, contradicting a U.S. patent's claims that similar EMF exposure improves hatching success by 5-8%.
Cite This Study
Patricia Y. Hester, B.B. Bohren (1978). EXPOSURE OF CHICKEN EGGS TO AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD PRIOR TO INCUBATION.
Show BibTeX
@article{exposure_of_chicken_eggs_to_an_electromagnetic_field_prior_to_incubation_g4729,
author = {Patricia Y. Hester and B.B. Bohren},
title = {EXPOSURE OF CHICKEN EGGS TO AN ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD PRIOR TO INCUBATION},
year = {1978},
}Quick Questions About This Study
The study tested electromagnetic fields ranging from 90 to 160 gauss on chicken eggs. These field strengths are significantly higher than typical household EMF exposures, which usually measure 1-3 gauss near common appliances.
Each chicken egg was exposed to electromagnetic fields for exactly 3 seconds as it rolled through a magnetic coil. This brief exposure occurred before the incubation process began, testing whether short EMF treatment could affect development.
No, electromagnetic field exposure had no effect on hatching rates, body weights, or hatching time. This directly contradicted U.S. patent claims that similar EMF levels would increase hatchability by 5-8% compared to untreated eggs.
Researchers tested both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) electromagnetic fields. The DC fields were 90 and 160 gauss, while AC fields were 125 and 160 gauss, allowing comparison between different field types.
The study aimed to verify claims made in U.S. patent 3,910,233, which stated that electromagnetic field exposure could increase egg hatching success by 5-8%. Independent scientific testing found no such benefits from EMF treatment.