Effects of Cage or Floor Housing on Reproductive Performance of Broiler Breeder Males

Semen and ejaculation characteristics were measured in broiler breeder males kept either in individual cages or as all male flocks on litter floors from 18 to 62 weeks of age. Semen volume and concentration were determined weekly, and body weight, fertility, and hatchability were ascertained monthly. Male response to artificial stimulation was noted during each semen collection. Correlation coefficients and repeatability estimates were calculated for semen volume, sperm concentration, percent productive ejaculation (% PE), fertility, and hatchability. Males kept in cages consistently produced larger amounts of more concentrated semen than males maintained on litter floors. Fertility and hatchability were not significantly different between cage or floor males. There were highly positive correlations among semen volume, concentration, and % PE both within early periods and between early and later periods of the experiment. Fertility and hatchability were not correlated with semen or ejaculation characteristics, and early fertility tests showed no relationship to later tests for fertility. Repeatability estimates were found to be moderate for semen volume and % PE, and it is suggested that four to five semen samples would be sufficient to predict a male's potential for semen production.