Effects of Semen Dosage and Insemination Frequency on Fertility and Hatchability in Horasi Chicken Ecotype

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of Horasi chicken ecotype semen dilution, insemination dosage, and frequency of insemination on spermatozoa fertility potentials (hatchability and fertility). Twenty adult hens and four cockerels were used in a 2×2×2 factorial experiment. The factors were semen type (undiluted versus diluted semen), insemination volume (0.5 versus 0.1 ml), and insemination frequency (once versus twice inseminations per week). Egg fertility and hatchability among semen type, semen volume and insemination frequency varied from 68.35 ± 2.10 to 82.20 ± 2.29, and 59.38 ± 2.15 to 86.87 ± 2.57; 70.99 ± 2.45 to 79.56 ± 2.62, and 69.33 ± 3.88 to 76.92 ± 3.83; 67.41 ± 1.99 to 83.15 ± 2.06, and 68.53 ± 4.16 to 77.73 ± 3.40 respectively. The type of semen significantly (P ˂0.05) affected both fertility and hatchability. Higher fertility was recorded in hens inseminated with diluted fresh semen than those inseminated using undiluted fresh semen in all semen volumes and insemination frequencies. Insemination volume and insemination frequency had a significant (P ˂0.05) effect only on fertility. Higher egg fertility was observed in hens inseminated with 0.5mL of semen compared to those inseminated using 0.1mL of semen irrespective of semen type and insemination frequency. Also, hens inseminated twice a week had higher egg fertility in comparison to those inseminated once a week irrespective of semen volume and semen type. From the results obtained, it is concluded that the BPSE improved the fertilizing potential of fresh stored sperm and subsequent hatchability, while inseminating dose and insemination frequency only affected fertility. Thus, twice weekly insemination with diluted semen using 0.5mL of semen will maximize fertility and hatchability of Horasi chicken ecotype eggs.