Managing males to maximise hatchability.

摘要

The key to have excellent fertility results (percent hatchability) starts with the development of a uniform population of good quality males from the start of rearing up to the point of sexual maturity, around 30 weeks of age. This means males with the proper early skeletal development, enough weight at the end of rearing to respond to light stimulation and a good growth rate from light stimulation to sexual maturity to achieve maximum testicular development. At the same time it is imperative that males and females mix properly. This function is achieved by having the correct sex ratios and male-female weight differentials for the breed and correct maturity synchronization between sexes. Once this is achieved, 80% of the job is done and the only thing that remains is to avoid any body condition losses during production which will ensure mating activity and sperm quality are both kept at the correct levels.