Determination of Magnetic Field Levels at Different Locations in a Laying Hen Farm and Their Evaluation in Terms of Possible Biological Effects and Feeding Management

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine low-frequency magnetic field levels at different locations in a cage-based laying hen house and to evaluate the findings in terms of possible biological effects and feeding management. Measurements were taken at 15 fixed locations operationally defined in the Materials and Methods section, and the results were recorded in microtesla. Differences among locations were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test. Mean magnetic field values ranged from 0.00 to 23.49 microtesla, with an overall mean of 8.09 microtesla, and the differences among locations were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The highest mean value was recorded at location 8, followed by locations 9 and 1, whereas measurements at three locations were below the lower detection limit of the instrument and are presented as 0.00 for tabular consistency. The measured levels remained below the general public reference value for 50 hertz; however, this should not be interpreted as a species-specific safe exposure threshold for laying hens. Overall, the study documented local field variability within the house and provided baseline information for future studies integrating environmental measurements with productivity, feeding behaviour, feed intake, and physiological stress indicators.