Reproductive performance of White Leghorns provided fluoride

Two trials were conducted to determine if added sodium fluoride in the drinking water of chickens would result in any deleterious effects on reproduction. In both trials 120 individually caged Single Comb White Leghorn hens (SCWL) were used. Experimental groups consisted of a control group which received no fluoride and three treated groups which received 100 parts per million (ppm) fluoride during either the growing period (0 to 20 weeks), production period (from 20 weeks on), or continuously from day 1. In Trial 1 broiler-breeder males that had not been treated with supplemental fluoride were used as the source of semen for artificial insemination. In Trial 2 half the SCWL cockerels used had been treated with 100 ppm F in the drinking water from day 1. The reproductive characteristics measured were egg production, fertility, duration of fertility, and hatchability of fertile eggs. No deleterious effects due to fluoride exposure at the 100 ppm level in the drinking water were observed in the reproductive performance of either pullets or cockerels. Egg production in both trials decreased slightly during the insemination periods in all raised to 4 weeks of age, and no effects of fluoride on progeny growth were noted.