Influence of Temperature on the Reproductive Performance of the Broad Breasted Bronze Toms

The observed seasonal variations in turkey spermatozoa, in an investigation conducted in 1948 and 1949 (Wakely and Kosin, 1951) have led to further studies at this Station on the role of temperature in the reproductive complex of male and female turkeys. The preliminary investigation conducted in 1949–50 (Burrows and Kosin, 1950) at this Station showed that the preconditioning of the Broad Breasted Bronze toms, by keeping them at 65°F. prior to and during the breeding season, improved their fertilizing capacity. Furthermore, the hatchability of fertile eggs laid by the Broad Breasted Bronze hens, inseminated with the semen from these preconditioned toms, was also improved when compared with the hatchability of eggs laid by hens artificially mated to control (not preconditioned) toms. The second study was started in the fall of 1950, when one group of Broad Breasted Bronze toms received their premating heat conditioning for five weeks in an . . .