Abstract
The influence of UV-B radiation on embryonic development of chickens Hampshire breed was investigated. The set eggs with the average weight of 60.0 ± 0.5 g were divided into six groups. The chickens in the control group C were hatched in the darkness. The chicken embryos in experimental groups were, during their incubation, influenced by UV light: in E1 (1 h a day), in E2 (2 h a day), in E3 (3 h a day), in E4 (4 h a day), and in E5 (5 h a day). After the experiment, we can state that UV radiation appealing on chickens embryos of shorter time (1–2 h) was reflected in decreasing embryonic mortality in experimental group E1 (1.27 ± 0.14%), the embryonic development was accelerated and the weight of hatched chickens was increased in group E2 (492.43 ± 5.02 h and 47.83 ± 2.62 g, respectively). The negative influence of UV radiation was reflected while it is longer appealing on chickens embryos (for 3–5 h), mainly by increased embryonic mortality in groups E3 (10.27 ± 1.65%), E4 (58.09 ± 3.12%), and E5 (100.00 ± 0.00%). The results obtained are highly significant (p < 0.001) in comparison with a control group C, as well as, with the experimental groups E1 and E2.