Conditioning ostrich males to routine semen collection does not compromise their reproductive performance in a natural mating system

Studies have reported variation in semen quality between ostrich males, implying that selecting males based on superior semen characteristics could improve flock fertility. However, semen collection requires conditioning ostrich males to humans, which may allegedly interfere with natural courtship behaviour, hindering reproductive success. This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive success of ostrich males trained for semen collection using the dummy female method when placed in a natural mating system. Twelve males previously trained for semen collection and 12 untrained males were selected and paired with females for the duration of a natural mating season. Behavioural observations were conducted on the pairs, while eggs produced by the paired-off females were collected for artificial incubation. Fertility of eggs, hatchability and chick production were recorded as measures of reproductive performance. Males trained for semen collection did not interact differently with their female partners compared to untrained males, except for hissing, where trained males hissed more at their mates than untrained males. In addition, untrained males performed their territorial booming call more often than trained males. Neither copulation attempts nor successful copulations differed between trained and untrained males. No significant differences were recorded between the two groups of males in terms of fertility of eggs, hatchability and chick production. These results indicate that training males for semen collection does not alter their performance under a natural pair-mating system, suggesting that semen collection for quality evaluation before selection as breeding stock could be a viable method for improving flock fertility.