Repository logo
 

The effects of dietary crude protein on fertility of broiler breeder males.

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorTyler, Nicola Claire.
dc.contributor.advisorCiacciariello, Mariana.
dc.contributor.authorWaltsleben, Stephanie Lisa von.
dc.date.accessioned2013-02-13T12:35:05Z
dc.date.available2013-02-13T12:35:05Z
dc.date.created2010
dc.date.issued2010
dc.descriptionThesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.en
dc.description.abstractFertility of Broiler Breeders (BBs) has been researched over many years with inconclusive findings. Genetic selection and improvements in growth traits have had negative effects on fertility of BB. One explanation is related to overweight birds, resulting in the inability of birds to copulate successfully, with no cloacal contact. The requirements of CP for egg production in BB females have been quantified, but there is less literature on how CP affects fertility in male BBs. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of feeding BB males different dietary CP intakes (10.4, 12.4, 14.2, 17.8, 19.3 and 20.1 g CP/bird/day) on fertility in flocks with natural mating and in birds that were artificially inseminated (AI). Results showed that birds consuming 10.4 and 12.4 g CP/bird/day resulted in weight loss (between 24.9 and 23.6% and 26.5 and 22.4% below target BW) over the 29 weeks of the experimental period in both natural mating and individual pens respectively. Intakes of higher protein content (17.8- 20.1 g CP/bird/day) however resulted in BW gain over the experimental period. Hatch percentage across all CP intakes throughout the duration of the study was found to be high, ranging between 75- 100 and 80-95 % in AI and naturally mated birds respectively, and not affected by CP intakes. Similar results for predicted fertility using the methods published by Brillard & Antoine (1990) and Wishart (1997) were found; however Brillard & Antoine (1990) is more lenient requiring less outer perivitelline layer (OPVL) sperm/mm2 to pronounce an egg fertile. Improved fertility predictions could have been made by using examination of inner perivitelline layer (IVPL). There was a tendency for a superior response in predicted fertility from birds with a protein intake of 14.2 g CP/bird/day. This intake also least affected the BW of the male birds and thus 14.2 g CP/bird/day can be recommended for optimal BB male performance.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10413/8528
dc.language.isoen_ZAen
dc.subjectPoultry--Breeding.en
dc.subjectPoultry--Reproduction.en
dc.subjectBroilers (Chickens)--Breeding.en
dc.subjectBroilers (Chickens)--Reproduction.en
dc.subjectPoultry--Feeding and feeds.en
dc.subjectPoultry--Nutrition.en
dc.subjectBroilers (Chickens)--Feeding and feeds.en
dc.subjectBroilers (Chickens)--Nutrition.en
dc.subjectProteins in animal nutrition.en
dc.subjectTheses--Animal and poultry science.en
dc.titleThe effects of dietary crude protein on fertility of broiler breeder males.en
dc.typeThesisen

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Waltsleben_Stephanie_L_von_2010.pdf
Size:
565.77 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Thesis
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.64 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Masters Degrees (Animal and Poultry Science)