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REARING OF CHICKEN FROM HATCHING TO THE END OF THE 1ST LAYING-PERIOD IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD (30 KV/M, 50 HZ)

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A. Bootz, G. Winke, A. Boyer and J. Brinkmann · 1978

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Chickens exposed to extreme 30 kV/m electric fields showed behavioral changes and reduced egg weight gain despite normal reproduction.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed chickens to extremely high electric fields (30 kV/m at 50 Hz) for 43 weeks, from hatching through their first laying period. While egg production remained normal, exposed birds showed behavioral changes including increased aggression in roosters and abnormal nesting behaviors in hens. The study found no effects on fertility or offspring development, but egg weight gain was reduced in the exposed group.

Why This Matters

This 1978 study reveals that even chickens exposed to electric fields 1,000 times stronger than typical power line levels showed measurable biological effects. The 30 kV/m exposure used here far exceeds anything you'd encounter in daily life - even standing directly under high-voltage transmission lines exposes you to only 1-10 kV/m. Yet the behavioral changes observed in these birds raise important questions about EMF's influence on nervous system function.

What makes this research particularly relevant is that it demonstrates biological responses can occur without affecting reproduction or survival. The increased aggression in roosters and altered maternal behaviors suggest EMF exposure may influence brain chemistry and hormonal systems in subtle but measurable ways. While we can't directly extrapolate from chickens to humans, this early work helped establish that EMF effects extend beyond simple heating to include changes in behavior and development.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
A. Bootz, G. Winke, A. Boyer and J. Brinkmann (1978). REARING OF CHICKEN FROM HATCHING TO THE END OF THE 1ST LAYING-PERIOD IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD (30 KV/M, 50 HZ).
Show BibTeX
@article{rearing_of_chicken_from_hatching_to_the_end_of_the_1st_laying_period_in_an_elect_g4725,
  author = {A. Bootz and G. Winke and A. Boyer and J. Brinkmann},
  title = {REARING OF CHICKEN FROM HATCHING TO THE END OF THE 1ST LAYING-PERIOD IN AN ELECTRIC FIELD (30 KV/M, 50 HZ)},
  year = {1978},
  
  
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The 30 kV/m field was extremely strong - about 1,000 times higher than typical power line exposures. Even standing directly under high-voltage transmission lines only exposes you to 1-10 kV/m, making this an extreme experimental condition.
No, egg production was nearly identical between exposed and control groups. Exposed hens laid 116 eggs over the study period while control hens laid 117 eggs, showing no meaningful difference in laying frequency.
Exposed roosters became significantly more aggressive than control birds. This behavioral change suggests the electric field affected their nervous system or hormonal balance, even though their fertility remained normal and all eggs were successfully fertilized.
Egg weight gain was significantly reduced in exposed hens. From weeks 26-43, control group egg weights increased by 11.9 grams while exposed group eggs only increased by 5.0 grams, a meaningful developmental difference.
No, all offspring developed normally. Hatching rates were about 80% in both groups, and chicks from exposed parents showed no developmental abnormalities, indicating the effects didn't carry over to the next generation.