The effects of three systems of housing turkey breeder males on semen quality and quantity

In 3 successive years (1971, 1972, and 1973) semen productivity and quality were measured for medium size Broad Breasted White turkey males kept under 3 different systems of management (cages, cubicles and floor). Biweekly semen volumes were obtained for each male from 30 to 52 weeks of age. Semen concentration, sperm motility, and normality determinations were made on individual males when 52 weeks of age. In one of the 3 test years (1973) a significantly lower volume of semen was produced by males kept on the floor as compared with comparable males kept in cages or cubicles. There were no appreciable differences in quality criteria of semen produced by males kept in the different systems of management. Males kept in individual cages were approximately 1 kg. lighter in body weight at 52 weeks of age than comparable males kept in cubicles and on the floor. Average feed intake measured over a 12 week period in 1973 showed that a ratio of daily feed comsumption to average body weight was approximately the same for males in all housing systems. There was some variability in mortality within test years but no trend over the 3 test years was evident.