Reproductive Ability of Selected F1 Crossbred Turkey Hens (Nigeria Indigenous x Exotic Turkey) at Early Stage of Production
Adedeji Suleimon Balogun1, * Akintunde Akinbola Akinosun1, Adetoun Janet Ajibade2, Juliana Abosede Isiaka1, Yusuf Babatunde Lateef1, Samuel Olugbenga Mathew1
1Department of Animal Health and Production Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. Oyo State, Nigeria
2Department of Agricultural Technology, Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora. Oyo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Egg production, fertility and hatchability rate at early stage of production remains reliable markers to predict the reproductive genetic potentials of turkey poultry species. This study is therefore conducted to examine and evaluate the reproductive potential of eight selected cross bred hens. A total of eight (8) hens were housed individually in each cell in a battery cage system. 180g of feeds was fed to hens at laying stage and 250g of feeds were fed to each tom. Two best toms with the best semen quality after evaluation were selected for artificial insemination practices after 25weeks of age. The F1crossbred hens were inseminated with their tom’s counterpart pooled semen twice a week. Eggs were identified, recorded and taken to the hatchery weekly for incubation. Data such as number of eggs laid, fertility, hatchability egg sets and hatchability of fertile eggs rate were collected and recorded. Data collected were subjected to statistical analysis using SPSS. The result showed no significant difference (p<0.05) in the quantity of eggs recorded per week, number of infertile eggs, percentage fertility and infertility except for number of fertile eggs/week which was significantly higher in Hen6 and Hen2 but was not significantly different from Hens 5, 7, 9 and 10. However, lowest significant (p>0.05) number of fertile eggs was recorded for Hen 12 among all the hens assessed. It can therefore be concluded that crossing of exotic turkey breed popularly known as imported turkey with Nigeria indigenous turkey is beneficial and could enhance fertility and hatchability rate in the hybrid progeny.
Keywords: F1 hybrid hen, laying rate, Fertility, Hatchability, Early stage
Full length article *Corresponding Author, e-mail: balogunadedeji001@gmail.com