Some Observations on the Effect of Selection of Males on the Percentage Hatch of Turkey Eggs

Abstract

THE low percentage hatch of eggs produced by Broad Breasted Bronze turkeys constitutes a major problem to the producer of turkey hatching eggs. The seriousness of the problem is increased by the variability in hatching results obtained from year to year by individual producers. Marked differences in percentage hatch are also noted on different farms where the same feed is used and breeding stock from the same source is kept. Such variability may indicate that factors of management influence hatching results to a considerable extent.One of the factors in managing turkey breeding flocks that may differ considerably from year to year and from farm to farm is the selection of males for the breeding pens. While it is recommended that general body balance of the male should be considered, in practice selection has stressed thickness of fleshing, with a lesser emphasis on the carriage of the male. Thus selection …