The aim of this investigation was to determine how reproduction results, including broodiness intensity, are influenced by both the age of hen turkeys at light stimulation and the time from stimulation to laying the first egg. The experimental material consisted of 1269 hens from a maternal female strain (J-44), the age of which at the time of light stimulation was 30 (356 birds), 32 (400 birds) or 33 (513) birds weeks. The hens were divided into five groups according to the time of response to light stimulation: up to 19 days, 20-23 days, 24-27 days, 28-31 days and over 32 days. In the groups isolated this way, average values of estimated traits were calculated. The age of hens at light stimulation had no significant effect on reproduction results, however the oldest hens had a higher hatchability from set eggs (3.2%). The hens which responded sooner to light stimulation, were characterized by a higher egg production (the difference between extreme groups, irrespective of the age at which the stimulation was performed, amounted to 18.5 eggs) and hatchability (6.1%). No significant effect of the investigated factors on hen broodiness has been found. The rate of hens' response to light stimulation can be used for early selection to improve reproductive traits.
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