Interventions in mating strategies of broiler breeder during peak and post peak phase influence hatching traits

The study evaluated the effect of housing system, insemination frequency, and sperm concentration on hatching traits of commercial broiler breeder. Experiment was set up as 2 × 4 × 4 factorial arrangement under completely randomized design. A total of 960 broiler breeder females (Ross-308) were divided evenly (480) into two groups for Artificial Insemination in cages (AIC) and on deep litter floor (AIF) with 41 and 48 males were allocated for aforesaid flocks, respectively. Females birds of both flocks (AIC and AIF) were further divided into 4 treatment groups to apply 4 various insemination frequencies at 4, 6, 8, and 10th days. These treated groups were further divided into 4 subgroups to apply each of insemination frequencies with 4 different sperm concentrations per insemination dose 100, 125, 150, and 175 × 10⁶ sperms during peak phase of production which were replaced with 200, 225, 250, and 275 × 10⁶ sperms in post peak phase. According to the results, significantly higher egg production, fertility, hatchability and number of chicks were documented when AI was conducted in cages as compared to deep litter floor. Although, the best reproductive performance was observed on 4 and 6th day insemination frequencies on all subjected sperm concentrations during peak; however, these parameters were found better on only 4th day during post peak. Sperms concentrations of 150, 175 × 10⁶ during peak and 250 and 275 × 10⁶ during post peak brought forth the best reproductive performance on all insemination frequencies. Although, embryonic mortality was significantly higher, when AI was conducted in floored flocks particularly when repeated after 4th day; however, various sperm concentrations found inert. In conclusion, AI found advantageous in caged flock as compared to floored. The consortium of different insemination frequencies and sperms concentrations are required for sustainable reproductive traits with progression of breeder age.