Effect of Semen Dose, Frequency of Insemination, Age and Productivity of the Male on Duration and Levels of Fertility and Hatchability in the Turkey

In 3 separate trials, duration and levels of fertility and hatchability were studied in 3 groups of Broad Breasted White turkey hens inseminated on 1, 2 or 3 successive days with 0.030 ml. semen. In the first test, hens in a fourth group were given a single insemination of 0.090 ml. semen. and those in the fifth group received 2 inseminations of 0.045 ml. The semen used in Trial 1, was obtained from males producing different levels of semen, and in Trials 2 and 3 the semen was from males of different age groups. Neither age of the male nor level of semen production appreciably affected duration or levels of fertility in turkey hens. However, duration and level of fertility were slightly better in hens given 2 or 3 inseminations of 0.03 ml. or 2 inseminations of 0.045 ml. of semen on successive days than in comparable hens given a single insemination of 0.030 ml. or 0.090 ml. semen. Hatchability was significantly higher (p = less than .05) in hens inseminated twice with doses of 0.030 ml. as compared with hens inseminated 1 or 3 times with doses of 0.030 ml. In 1 of 2 test years, hatchability in hens inseminated with semen from young males was from 7 to 12 percent greater than for comparable hens inseminated with semen from old males. Semen concentration and percent of normal sperm was generally higher in young males (39 wk.) as compared to older males (89 wk.).