Morphological traits as early indicators of male broiler breeder fertility

Abstract

The broiler industry is a primary supplier of white meat and a popular protein source in human diets. The poultry industry aims to produce a broiler chick with high liveability, high growth and high feed conversion efficiency; therefore high growth performance has been emphasized in the parent stock. Fertility of the broiler breeders is one of the most important aspects in broiler production. Standard hatchery practice for fertility determination is 18-day candling, but a more suitable indicator would be a 12-day breakout. The aim of this study was to evaluate routine farm data and to identify additional measurements as early indicators of male broiler breeder fertility. The results showed that neither the routine nor the additional male body weight measurements significantly contributed to either 18- or 12- day fertility (P > 0.0001). Female weight, however, contributed significantly to 18-day fertility (P > 0.0001). Shank length only showed a significant effect (P > 0.005) on 18-day fertility. Routine body condition score and routine vent score both contributed significantly to 18-day fertility (P > 0.0001). Additional vent score was shown to have a significant effect on 12-day fertility at P > 0.005; similarly additional body condition score also had a significant effect on 12-day fertility, but at P > 0.05. The limitations in this study, including the small sample size may have contributed to the lack of significance found in the measurements used. The results indicate that further studies under controlled conditions may be useful in identifying shank length as an early indicator of male broiler breeder fertility.