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By Dr Keith Bramwell , Department of Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AK, USA
Dually noted that both the males and females in a breeder flock can be responsible for contributing to problems with fertility, the impact of the male on flock fertility is approximately ten times greater than the females, as this is the approximate ratio of males to females. Ultimately, fertility from the male standpoint depends on testes development, sperm quality and mating efficiency.
Continual selection for broiler traits doesn’t appear to negatively affect sperm quality however. Today’s males tend to gain weight more easily, potentially leading to reduced mating efficiency and interest. Males are more susceptible to stress than females, due to the severity of their feed restriction, but the industry historically has placed greater importance on female brooding, rearing and production. Often time’s males have been left to ‘fend for themselves’, when in actuality they should have more attention due to their special needs during the stressful rearing period.
There are several elements to focus on to improve male management that can occur during the brooding phase, the rearing phase and the production phases. Important questions that must also be considered are: how can I keep more males alive? Why is male uniformity poor? And why does fertility drop off so fast, post 50 weeks?
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