Semen Quality of Cockerel Breeders Gallus domesticus in Two Climates in Nigeria

Abstract

The present study was designed to access the reproductive status of Isa-brown cockerel breeders raised in Gwagwalada by comparing the semen quality of the cockerels raised in Gwagwalada and those raised in Jos. Twelve Isa-brown cockerels of (18-24 months) weighing between (3-4 kg) were used. Six cockerel breeders were randomly selected from three different breeder farms in Jos and six from Gwagwalada during the dry season. Environmental parameters that were measured were mean daily temperatures (T°C) and mean relative humidity (%) of study zones. After acclimatization semen samples were collected from the cockerels by cloaca massage into a graduated tube and analysed. The parameters that were analysed for semen quality included: motility, mass activity, percentage live, morphological defects, semen volume, pH and colour. Results showed that the cockerels from the two zones, had similar semen characteristics. The mean values for all the parameters measured werenot significantly different between the two zones (p>0.05). The average ambient temperature and relative humidity at the time of study were 37.5°C and 54% for Gwagwalada versus 20°C and 60% for Jos. It was concluded that the variations in the climatic conditions of the two zones had real effects on cockerel semen quality comparing the volume of semen obtained from the cockerels. High environmental temperature recorded in Gwagwalada was not combined with high humidity. Recommendation was that conscious effort must be made in terms of poultry house design and provision of facilities in other to shield the effect of heat stress on breeder farms in Gwagwalada.