Mating Caged Egg-Type Breeder Females to Floor-Housed Males

Abstract

A study was made to determine the fertility and hatchability of eggs from individually caged Single Comb White Leghorn breeder females rotated periodically and systematically to the floor to mate with a litter-floor-housed male (single male mating), with the primary thought that the use of cages for the females would reduce the high incidence of floor eggs observed in our floor, pedigree breeding pens. Fertility and hatchability data show that caged females placed on the litter floor with the male for approximately 2-½ hours (1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) once every six days can produce eggs that demonstrate fertility and hatchability levels which may generally be acceptable to a pedigree breeding operation. For all purposes, the incidence of floor eggs was negligible. Obviating human error in recording the hen number on the egg, accuracy of pedigree for eggs would appear to be assured. Foot disorders and leg weaknesses among the caged breeders were not observed. The possibility that this procedure can be applied successfully to a wild bird pedigree breeding operation where artificial insemination is difficult is suggested.