Selection responses in duration of fertility and its consequences on hatchability in the intergeneric crossbreeding of ducks

1. From 1992 to 2003, selected (S) and control lines (C) of the laying Brown Tsaiya duck (Anas platyrhynchos) were simultaneously maintained under the same standardised conditions of feeding and management. 2. The selection objective was to increase the number of fertile eggs after a single artificial insemination (AI) with pooled Muscovy semen. From generations G1 to G11, 2452 and 2022 female ducks, in S and C lines, respectively, were measured and recorded. In the S line, the percentage selected varied between 20.2 and 34.3% in females and between 7.2 and 20.8% in males. 3. Selection for number of fertile eggs had a correlated effect of increasing the parameter tau of the logistic curves which fitted the daily variations (d 2 to 15) in fertility or hatchability on the basis of eggs set. The differences S-C for the estimates of the times of half maximal fertility and hatchability increased by 0.41 and 0.37 d per generation between G1 and G11, respectively. 4. The highest increases of fertility per day rates after a single AI were observed between d 5 and 11. Moreover, in the selected line, fertility rate was higher than, or equal to, 90% in d 2 from G8. The same tendencies were observed for the changes in the evolution of hatchability on the basis of eggs set. 5. Selection increased fertility and hatchability according to the egg set rates, especially for d 2 to 8 after AI. Hatchability of fertile eggs was not impaired, confirming that selection for one AI per week was possible in this strain of laying ducks.     

西兰花茎叶粉对仙居三黄蛋鸡蛋品质、受精率和孵化率的影响

选取384只三黄蛋鸡,随机分成4个处理,即对照组和试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组,每个处理3个重复,每个重复32只,分别饲喂添加0、4%、6%和8%西兰花茎叶粉的日粮。结果表明:1)添加西兰花茎叶粉对仙居三黄蛋鸡生产性能无显著影响(P0.05);2)与对照组相比,试验组蛋白高度、蛋黄颜色、哈氏单位、蛋壳厚度和蛋壳强度均显著升高(P0.05);试验Ⅱ和Ⅲ组蛋黄胆固醇含量均显著下降(P0.05);3)与对照组相比,试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组的受精率显著提高(P0.05),试验Ⅲ组受精率提高不显著(P0.05);试验组孵化率有所下降,其中试验Ⅱ组和试验Ⅲ组显著下降(P0.05)。试验组间受精率和孵化率均差异不显著(P0.05)。添加西兰花茎叶粉可以改善仙居三黄蛋鸡蛋品质,降低蛋黄胆固醇水平;此外可以提高受精率,但随着西兰花茎叶粉添加量的增加,孵化率有降低的趋势。     

Fertility and hatchability results with fowl spermatozoa stored in fresh and freeze-dried diluent

Semen obtained from Rhode Island Red males was stored for 3 and 24 h in fresh and freeze‐dried diluent. Fertility and hatchability of eggs laid from the 2nd to 8th d inclusive after a single insemination was tested with hens of proven fertility. The fertilising power of diluted semen after storage did not differ significantly from the undiluted control, but the hatchability of the fertile eggs was significantly reduced after 24 h storage in the freeze‐dried diluent.     

Effect of coccidiosis on reproductive maturation of male Japanese quail

The effects of coccidiosis on reproductive development of male Japanese quail were examined. Male Japanese quail were exposed to high (5 x 10(5) sporulated oocysts/quail) or low (5 x 10(3) sporulated oocysts/quail) doses of Eimeria uzura at 16 or 30 days of age and sampled at 37 days. Quail given high doses of coccidia had reduced testes weight and lowered circulating concentrations of androgen compared with control males. Low doses of coccidia did not affect testes weight but did result in elevated plasma androgen levels. There were no differences in average testes weights by 51 days; however, plasma androgen was still reduced in most groups. To study the effects of coccidiosis on egg production, males exposed to high doses of coccidia at 16 (16H) or 30 (30H) days of age were mated with control females, and control males were mated with control or 16H females. The onset of laying was delayed for 5 days in the control male: 16H female group. During the first week of production, eggs from females bred to 30H males had lower fertility and hatchability than those bred to control or 16H males. By the third week of production, levels of fertility were similar. Apparently, exposure of quails to coccidiosis before sexual maturation might result in long-term effects on later reproductive capability.     

Dam and Sire Effects on Sperm Penetration of the Perivitelline Layer of Eggs Produced by Two Strains of Commercial Turkeys

The reproductive performance of 2 commercial turkey breeder lines was examined using reciprocal crosses between sires and dams of each line. One line had been selected using artificial inseminations performed at biweekly intervals, whereas the second line had been selected using inseminations performed at weekly intervals. The hypothesis was proposed that sires and dams of the 2 lines differ because of different abilities for sperm to penetrate the inner perivitelline layer (IPVL) and fertilize eggs.Fertilized eggs to hatch poults for the experiment were obtained from the primary breeders and were incubated using conditions recommended by the industry. Hens (n = 72) and toms (n = 15) from each strain were identified and reared in preparation for a reproductive cycle using commercially accepted standards. Beginning just prior to the onset of egg production and at weekly intervals thereafter, half of the hens were inseminated with semen from males of the same line, whereas the remaining half received semen from the opposite line. Eggs were collected from the pens daily and set in incubators to determine fertility and embryo survival. At biweekly intervals 3 eggs per pen were used for counting sperm penetration holes in the IPVL. Data were collected for fertility, hatchability, and time that embryos died for each of the pens. Dam and sire affected IPVL penetration independently. A dam by sire interaction influenced fertility, whereas hatchability was affected only by dam. Thus, it is concluded that selection of dam and sires for commercial breeders alters IPVL sperm penetration ability of hens as well as egg-binding ability of sires.     

Genetic control populations: A study of efficiency of six poultry control strains

The aim of the experiment was to examine the efficiency of pedigreed random‐bred control populations. It was argued that it was difficult to achieve this aim by the study of the parameters of a single control population, but that a comparison of the contemporaneous performance of two or more control strains over several generations would be more appropriate.

Six pedigreed randombred control populations with a planned size of 50 males and 150 females and derived from different base populations representing strains involved in a commercial poultry breeding programme were recorded for eight generations. Some difficulty was experienced in maintaining the populations to the size planned, particularly the Wyandotte strain, and this was associated with low semen production from males and low egg production from females rather than from poor fertility or hatchability. Analysis of data on sexual maturity, 25‐week body weight and 300 days’ egg production indicated no obvious regular changes in mean or variance except for sexual maturity for which the within strain variance increased markedly. The differences between strain means stayed relatively constant and there were few changes of rank order. The intra class correlation, corrected for changes in variance, for strains between years was 0–92, 1.00 and 0.96 for sexual maturity, body weight and egg production respectively.

Heritability estimates on four of the base populations indicated large differences between strains but also that additive genetic variation for some traits in some strains was approximately zero. For such traits and strains, genetic drift cannot occur which is a most desirable feature of a genetic control population. Some data were available on crosses of the control strains, which had been recorded for egg production and laying house mortality on many farms in each of eight years. There were no regular changes between years in mean egg production but mortality     

Production, hatchability and fertility of eggs from breeding Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing furazolidone.

1. Breeding Japanese quail were allocated to 8 groups, each group consisting of 20 females and males. The birds were fed one of 4 diets for up to 33 d: a control diet or a diet containing 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg or 1000 mg/kg furazolidone. Subsequently, quails were fed a furazolidone-free diet for up to 21 d. Egg production, quality, hatchability and fertility of the groups were measured. 2. Significant reduction in egg production occurred in birds fed 400 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg furazolidone, the effect being more pronounced at the higher concentration. 3. Hatchability was reduced significantly for all groups of birds fed furazolidone and this effect was both dose and time dependent. The reduction in hatchability was attributable to an increase in infertile eggs rather than an increase in embryonic mortality. 4. Egg quality was affected, with more small eggs being produced by birds fed 1000 mg/kg furazolidone. 5. After removal of the experimental diets egg production of the affected groups returned to control values. Hatchability and fertility of affected groups also returned toward control values, but had generally not attained these values 21 d after the cessation of the experimental diets. 6. It was concluded that standard recommendations for the therapeutic dosage of poultry with furazolidone may not be appropriate for breeding Japanese quail.     

鸡的人工授精与自然交配种蛋孵化对比试验

该试验选用鸡的人工授精种蛋９４０枚及自然交配种蛋９６０枚,做了鸡的人工授精与自然资本种蛋孵化试验,结果表明：鸡人工授精后６ｄ内种蛋受精率平均为９４．５％,７ｄ后,受经极显著降低;人工授精后的种蛋受经及入孵种蛋孵化率均极显著高于自然交配组,两两者的受精种蛋孵化率无明显差异;另外,在试验过程中,还研究了种蛋贮存时间与化结果的关系,发现种蛋贮存期越短,孵化效果越好,贮存期最长不应超过７ｄ。     

Sperm-egg penetration in laying breeder flocks: a technique for the prediction of fertility.

1. An experiment was conducted to evaluate indices of fertility including the sperm penetration (SP) assay as a technique for the prediction of fertility. Forty-eight males consisting of White Leghorn (WL), New Hampshire (NH), Iraqi Brown (IBr) and Iraqi Barred (IBa) (12 males each) and 64 WL hens were divided at random into 4 groups of 4 replicates of 3 males and 4 females each. 2. At the beginning of each week semen was collected from males and pooled by breed of male. Hens in each breeding group were inseminated once weekly, by breeding group, for 4 consecutive weeks with pooled semen from WL, NH, IBr and IBa males (WLxWL, NHxWL, IBrxWL and IBaxWL). 3. The differences in percentage of dead sperm, acrosomal abnormalities, mass motility, individual motility and spermatocrit between the experimental breeds demonstrated the superiority of WL and NH males in all these quantitative characters of the semen. On the other hand, WL hens inseminated with spermatozoa from NH males had significantly more sperm-egg penetration (SP) holes than WL hens inseminated with spermatozoa from other breeds of males. The breed of males used for insemination affected fertility, hatchability and embryonic mortality. 4. The highest fertility and hatchability and lowest embryonic mortality were observed in eggs laid by hens inseminated with spermatozoa from WL and NH males in comparison with hens inseminated with spermatozoa from Iraqi males. 5. There was a strong positive correlation between SP values and fertility for WLxWL, NHxWL, IBrxWL and IBaxWL. The correlation for all breeds combined was also significant. In addition, SP was also positively correlated with hatchability and negatively correlated with embryonic mortality.     

Distribution of lymphoid leukosis virus and p27 group-specific antigen in tissues from laying hens

In order to gain insight into transmission and pathogenesis of infection, specimens from laying hens that had been naturally exposed to lymphoid leukosis virus (LLV) were tested for group-specific antigen (gsa) of the virus by immunofluorescence (IF), complement fixation (CF), and the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Electron microscopic examinations determined the distribution of C-type virus particles in tissues, and the phenotypic-mixing test served as a biological assay for exogenous LLV. The IF gsa was found in all organs tested, and fluorescence was usually found where virus particles were concentrated. In the oviduct and intestine, IF gsa was frequently at the border of the lumina and in the connective tissue associated with basal membranes of glands. In skin, the antigen was detected in smooth muscle, in feather pulp, and in basal epidermal cells of developing feathers. Results of various tests on Ottawa strains of chickens were usually in agreement. For example, among hens that shed gsa into egg albumen, only the viremic hens were consistently positive for IF gsa in both spleens and oviducts. Geometric mean CF titers of antigen were respectively five- and 23-fold higher in spleens and oviducts from viremic hens than in those from nonviremic hens. These findings suggest that the gsa was associated with exogenous virus infection. In Cornell S strain hens that had not been exposed to LLV, gsa was detected in splenic tissue by CF and ELISA but not by the IF test. This gsa was presumed to be of endogenous origin.     

Influence of pre-insemination douching and different semen extenders on fertility and hatchability of white Leghorn eggs.

1. White Leghorn hens were artificially inseminated twice weekly with undiluted semen or semen diluted (1:3) in Tris buffer, pH 6.8 or saline solution (9 g NaCl/l); with or without pre-insemination douching of the vagina with a solution of ampicillin. 2. Pre-insemination douching reduced the bacterial load of the vagina, resulting in an improvement in fertility and hatchability, with a proportionate reduction in the embryonic mortality. 3. The fertilising and hatching abilities of saline-diluted semen were comparable with those of undiluted semen. 4. Dilution of semen with Tris buffer significantly reduced fertility, but not hatchability.     

Egg production,fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some chicken strains under high ambient temperatures

This experiment was designed to investigate and compare the egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses of some local developed Egyptian chicken strains under high ambient temperatures. A total of 108 (26 weeks old) laying hens of Matrouh, Silver Montazah, Mandarah and Inshas (9 hens × 3 replicates × 4 strains) were used to evaluate the impact of thermal stress (24-34ºC) during summer season (June, July and August) on egg production, fertility, hatchability and immune responses. The obtained results revealed that final body weight (FBW/g) and body weight change (BWC/g) among different chicken strains were not affected. The daily feed consumption (FC/g) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p ≤ .05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The mean egg production (EP/%) and egg mass (EM) for Silver Montazah and Inshas strains were significantly (p ≤ .05) higher than those of Matrouh and Mandarah strains. The highest percentages of hatchability of total eggs (HTE) and fertile eggs (HFE) were recorded in Inshas chickens, while the lowest value was recorded in Mandarah chickens. Also, the highest embryonic mortalities (p ≤ .05) and lowest chick weight at hatch (CWH/g) were recorded in Mandarah chickens compared with the other strains. The highest values for antibody titres against phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) were recorded in Mandarah chickens, while the least values were recorded in Inshas chickens.     

Effect of magnesium deficiency in the hen on egg production and hatchability of eggs

The influence of the level of magnesium (Mg) in the ration on reproduction by the hen was studied in 2 experiments. In experiment 1, it was found that feeding a semi‐purified ration, containing 56 p.p.m. of Mg, resulted in decreased egg production and reduced serum Mg concentration within 10 to 14 days. Although fertility of eggs was not affected noticeably by Mg deficiency, hatchability of fertile eggs was decreased markedly. The influence of inadequate dietary Mg was partially alleviated by adding 250 p.p.m. Mg to the ration. In experiment 2, a decline in hatchability preceded decreases in egg production and food consumption. A decrease in Mg concentration in egg contents accompanied the decline in hatchability. Hens fed rations containing 50 or 150 p.p.m. added Mg produced eggs of relatively low hatchability by day 14 of the trial. Subsequent to being fed a ration containing 550 p.p.m. added Mg, these hens increased in rate of egg production while hatchability of fertile eggs also increased. The results indicate that the dietary Mg requirement of the laying hen, sufficient to maintain a high rate of production of eggs which hatch satisfactorily, is 400 or more p.p.m.     

籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对孵化效果影响的研究

本试验旨在研究不同水平蛋重与蛋形指数对籽鹅种蛋孵化效果的影响,进而总结出种蛋筛选的最佳方案,为籽鹅个体、家系种蛋的选留及籽鹅的繁衍、孵化、生产提供科学参考。选取二年籽鹅种蛋2 469枚,蛋重为94.8~154.4 g,平均蛋重（123.3±9.5）g;蛋形指数为1.24~1.63,平均蛋形指数1.45±0.05。采用2因素4水平试验设计,将所有种蛋按蛋重与蛋形指数分成16个孵化组（蛋重与蛋形指数分别分为4个水平）,测量每枚种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数,并在蛋壳上做好编号,在相同孵化条件、同一孵化设备中进行两次孵化试验。结果表明,①蛋重<118.0 g组种蛋受精率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,125.0~131.9 g组次之,且受精蛋孵化率随着蛋重增大升高;125.0~131.9 g组种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>131.9 g组次之;>131.9 g组种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重最大。②蛋形指数在1.47~1.51组种蛋受精率及种蛋孵化健雏率最高,>1.51组次之;1.47~1.51组种蛋受精蛋孵化率最高,1.42~1.46组次之。分析以上结果可得出：籽鹅种蛋蛋重对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重有显著影响（P<0.05）,以籽鹅蛋重在125.0~154.4 g为宜;蛋形指数对种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率亦有显著影响（P<0.05）,对种蛋孵出鹅雏出生重无影响（P>0.05）,以蛋形指数在1.47~1.51为宜。籽鹅种蛋蛋重与蛋形指数对受精率、受精蛋孵化率、健雏率、鹅雏出生重的影响均存在交互作用。其中,蛋形指数对种蛋孵化健雏率的影响较蛋重强,其作为单一因素对鹅雏出生重无影响。以上结果表明,以蛋重或蛋形指数任一因素作为种蛋筛选的依据都不科学,应综合考虑以达到种蛋优选的目的。     

The effect of n‐6/n‐3 fatty acid ratios on broiler breeder performance,hatchability, fatty acid profile and reproduction

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of dietary omega6 (n‐6) to omega3 (n‐3) fatty acid (FA) ratios on performance and reproduction of broiler breeders. In experiment 1, 400 females and 40 males (30 week age) of Ross 308 broiler breeder (20 females and two males in each pen) were randomly assigned to one of the four diets with n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4, 6, 8 and 16 (control). As a measure of hatchability, fertility of eggs and general incubation traits, 1,200 eggs (60 eggs from each pen) were collected and incubated for 21 days and embryo liver and brain fatty acid profile in 14 and 21 days were determined. In experiment 2, 48 males (three males in each pen) randomly assigned to one of the four diets with n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4, 6, 8 and 16 (control). Semen was collected twice weekly, and semen volume, spermatozoa concentration and motility and alive and dead spermatozoa were estimated. Egg production and egg mass were decreased by n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios of 4:1 and 6:1 (p < .05). There were no significant differences between treatments on breeder's body weight, eggs fertility and hatchability, embryonic mortality and semen features. Linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and total n‐3 of egg yolk, semen, testis and liver and brain of embryo and day‐old chicken were increased while concentration of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and docosatetraenoic acid of mentioned tissues were decreased by increasing n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios (p > .05). In conclusion, absolute amount of n‐3 and n‐6 FAs in broiler breeder diet may be more important than n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios and to consider reproductive and performance traits of breeders, it is necessary to supply higher levels of n‐3 and n‐6 FA with respect to n‐6/n‐3 FA ratios.     

Impact of Hatching Egg Weight and Egg Shape Index on Hatching Results in Zi Goose

This paper was aimed to study the impact of hatching egg weights and egg shape indexs on hatching of Zi goose,and then sum up the best scheme for hatching eggs screening,so as to provide scientific reference for the selection and retention of Zi goose individuals and family hatching eggs,as well as the breeding and incubation production.2469 hatching eggs of Zi geese of the second year were chosen with the weight range of 94.8 to 154.4 g and an average weight of (123.3±9.5) g;the egg shape index range was 1.24~1.63 and the average index was 1.45±0.05.Using 2 factors 4 levels test design,the weight and the shape index of eggs were divided into four levels and all the eggs were separated into 16 hatching groups.The weight and the shape index were measured and labeled on eggshells.Two hatching experiments were conducted in the same instrument and the hatching conditions were same.The results showed that:① Egg fertility rate was the highest in egg weight <118.0 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;Hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest in >131.9 g group,followed by 125.0~131.9 g group,and the hatchability of fertilized eggs increased along with the increase of egg weight;The highest healthy chick rate of breeding egg hatching lay in 125.0~131.9 g group,followed by >131.9 g group;The highest breeding egg hatching gosling birth weight lay in >131.9 group.② When egg shape index was between 1.47 to 1.51,the egg fertility rate and healthy chick rate were the highest,followed by >1.51 group;In the group 1.47 to 1.51,hatchability of fertilized eggs was the highest,followed by 1.42 to 1.46 group.In conclusion,hatching egg weight of Zi goose had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight (P<0.05),and the egg weight of Zi goose between 125.0~154.4 g was advisable;on the other hand,egg shape index also had significant impact on egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs and healthy chick rate (P<0.05),but had no impact on gosling birth weight (P>0.05),and the egg shape index between 1.47 to 1.51 was appropriate.Egg fertility rate,hatchability of fertilized eggs,healthy chick rate and gosling birth weight were affected by interaction of egg weight and shape index.Compared with the weight of eggs,the egg shape index had greater influence on healthy geese rate.The egg shape index had no direct impact on birth weight of young geese,but it could be influenced by the interaction between the egg shape index and the weight.Thus it was not very scientific to take either the weight or the index as the only basis for choosing qualified hatching eggs.     

肉种鸡血浆极低密度脂蛋白质量浓度双向选择的效应

以父母代肉种鸡为材料，以血浆极低密度脂蛋白（very low density lipoprotein，VLDL）质量浓度为选择指标建立肉鸡高脂系和低脂系，个体测定一世代高、低脂系母鸡产蛋性能、种蛋受精率、孵化率、二世代6周龄体质量，观察血浆VLDL质量浓度选择效应。结果显示，一世代低脂系比高脂系早开产6．7d，低脂系40周龄和54周龄产蛋量显著高于高脂系零世代，一世代低脂系种蛋受精率、受精蛋孵化率、入孵蛋孵化率均优于高脂系；二世代高、低脂系6周龄体质量差异不显著。结果表明，对血浆VLDL质量浓度的低向选择使种鸡产蛋性能、种蛋受精率、孵化率产生了有益的间接反应，但对早期体质量没有影响。     

Effects of supplemental vitamin E in diet of Japanese quail on male reproduction, fertility and hatchability

1. Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of feeding higher supplemental vitamin E (VE) concentrations on male reproductive variables, fertility and hatchability of quails. 2. In experiment 1, sixty 5-week-old male quails, reared in individual cages, were fed male breeder diets supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg. At 10 weeks, observations on cloacal gland size, foam production, testes weight and blood samples for testosterone estimation were taken. 3. In experiment 2, 50 male and 50 female cage-reared quails (5 weeks old) were fed male breeder and layer rations, respectively, supplemented with 0, 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. At 13 weeks, 9 different mating pairs (5 pairs/group) were formed. Group 1 contained one control male and one control female in each of 5 pens. In groups 2 to 5, control males were paired with females on supplements of 75, 150, 225 or 300 IU/kg. In groups 6 to 9, control females were paired with males on supplements of 75, 150, 225 and 300 IU/kg. During subsequent adaptation and egg collection periods, each of 10 d, control layer ration was fed to all groups. All the eggs laid during the 10-d egg collection period were incubated artificially to estimate fertility and hatchability. The trial was repeated at 15 weeks. 4. Adult male quails receiving moderate supplemental VE (75 and 150 IU/kg) had a higher cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone than quails fed on either VE-deficient or more highly supplemented diets (225 and 300 IU alpha-tocopherol acetate/kg). 5. It was concluded that a supplement of 75 IU VE/kg in maize/soybean diet could provide the best reproductive performance of male breeder quails. Cloacal gland index, quantity of foam secretion, testicular weight and plasma testosterone can serve as indirect indicators of testicular activity and fertilising ability in quails. Supplemental VE did not affect the fertility and hatchability of male and female Japanese quails.     

Effects of low dietary protein and different allocations of food during rearing and restricted feeding after peak rate of lay on egg production,fertility and hatchability in female broiler breeders

1. A 3x2x2 factorial experiment was conducted with boiler breeder females to determine the effects of body weight gain (three levels) and conventional or lower crude protein concentrations in the rations during rearing, and restricted or ad libitum feeding after the peak rate of lay on egg production, fertility, hatchability, mortality and food consumption. 2. Compared with ad libitum feeding, conventional food restriction resulted in a decrease in average daily food consumption of 0.6 during rearing, 0.2 during early lay and an increase of 0.4 after the peak rate of egg production. Mortality was decreased by more than half. 3. Restricted birds had higher total and settable egg production, fewer defective or damaged eggshells and higher fertility and hatchability than those fed ad libitum. The modified (more generous) rearing programme resulted in lower rates of egg production and higher rates of mortality compared with the conventional food restriction programme. 4. Low-protein rearing rations were associated with higher rates of food intake, higher mortalities and lower rates of egg production than the conventional protein rations. There were no differences in the fertility or hatchability of eggs between birds fed on the two concentrations of dietary crude protein. 5. Ad libitum feeding post-peak was associated with higher rates of mortality to 60 weeks of age. Post-peak feeding had little effect on the rate of lay or egg weight in conventionally restricted birds fed high protein rations or in birds fed ad libitum. Restricted feeding post-peak decreased the rate of lay and egg weight in birds on the modified restriction programme and in conventionally restricted birds fed on the low protein rations. There was no effect of post-peak feeding on fertility or hatchability of eggs. 6. The total numbers of saleable chicks per kg food consumed were 1.83, 1.72 and 0.52 for conventional, modified and ad libitum feeding during rearing; 1.56 and 1.15 for restricted and ad libitum feeding post-peak: there were no differences associated with protein concentrations of rations fed during rearing.     

Effect of vaginal douching and different semen extenders on bacterial load and fertility in turkeys

1. A study on artificial insemination of Beltsville Small White turkeys investigated the effect on bacterial load and fertility of vaginal douching with diluents containing Gentamicin 400 microg/ml and different semen extenders. 2. Irrespective of the extenders used, vaginal douching with Gentamicin reduced the microbial load of the vagina with resultant improvement in fertility and hatchability and corresponding reduction in embryonic mortality. 3. Eggs from hens inseminated with semen extended with Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) diluent along with vaginal douching showed a trend towards higher per cent fertility and per cent hatchability of total and fertile eggs set compared to other extenders, though this was non-significant.