A revised artificial insemination schedule for broiler breeder hens

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Poultry Science

Background:

• Conventional artificial insemination (AI) protocols for broiler breeder hens often involve shorter intervals.
• Optimizing AI intervals is crucial for efficient egg production and flock management in the poultry industry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of maintaining broiler breeder hens in individual cages for artificial insemination.
• To determine the effects of different semen volumes and extended insemination intervals on fertile egg production.

Main Methods:

• Broiler breeder hens were housed in individual cages and artificially inseminated with varying volumes (0.023, 0.035, 0.047 ml) of pooled semen.
• Insemination intervals were set at nine and ten days, adapted for a five-day work week.

Main Results:

• Maintaining broiler breeder hens in cages and using AI proved feasible for obtaining fertile eggs.
• Extending the insemination interval to ten days was successful when the number of inseminated spermatozoa was increased.

Conclusions:

• Artificial insemination is a viable method for broiler breeder hens housed in cages.
• Increased spermatozoa numbers can support extended insemination intervals, enhancing production efficiency.