Effect of Feed or Light Restriction During the Growing and Breeding Cycles on the Reproductive Performance of Broad Breasted White Turkey Males

Abstract

Restriction of day length or feed consumption of winter-hatched Broad Breasted White turkey males were evaluated for their effects on reproductive performance. Sixty-four turkey males, 18 weeks of age, were selected on the basis of conformation and body weight and randomly divided into four treatment groups. Treatments differed with respect to feeding and lighting schedules as follows: (1) full-fed; ambient light, 18–28 weeks of age; 15L/9D, 28–66 weeks of age; (2) restricted-fed, light schedule as in (1); (3) full-fed, 12L/12D, 18–66 weeks of age; and (4) full-fed; 8L/16D, 18–66 weeks of age. Individual body weights and group feed consumption were determined for each treatment. Individual males were periodically evaluated for semen quality and quantity, beginning at 32 weeks of age. Four groups, each containing 16 individually caged females, were inseminated with pooled semen from the respective male treatment groups to determine fertility during a 20-week egg production period.Restricting daily feed consumption to approximately 50% of the feed consumed by full-fed males resulted in a 30% reduction in body weight at 30 weeks of age; body weight for restricted-fed males was significantly less (P≤.05) than that of full-fed males through 65 weeks of age. Regression analysis of semen volume indicated that restricted-fed males receiving 15 hours of light, and full-fed males receiving either 12 or 8 hours of light per day, produced increasing semen volumes over a 30 week collection period (from 32 to 62 weeks of age), while full-fed males receiving 15 hours of light per day exhibited a decline in semen production. Fertility of eggs from B.B.W. turkey hens, inseminated with semen from restricted-fed males was significantly (P≤0.05) higher than fertility following inseminations from full-fed male groups receiving 15, 12 or 8 hours of light per day.The seasonal decline in semen quality and quantity, often experienced in turkey breeder males, was prevented through the use of the feed restriction program. Males in the restricted-fed group were also easier to handle and ejaculate than males from the full-fed groups. Restricting feed intake resulted in a 55% saving in feed consumed.