In poultry farming, especially when raising broiler breeders, it's crucial to maintain a high fertility rate in eggs. One of the key steps is the culling of unsuitable roosters. When there are many roosters in a flock, those that are not performing well—such as those with poor sperm quality or low fertility—should be removed promptly. This process can be done by examining the roosters under a microscope to identify those with no sperm or low sperm motility.
Roosters can be categorized into three groups based on their physical condition and behavior. Group A consists of dominant roosters with vibrant feathers, good weight, strong fighting ability, and a leadership role in the flock. They protect hens but rarely mate with them. Other roosters avoid approaching their hens. Group B includes roosters that are healthy, active, and have a balanced weight—about 30% heavier than hens. These roosters are more likely to mate with hens, leading to higher fertilization rates. Group C roosters, on the other hand, show signs of poor health: uneven feathering, low weight, small combs, swollen legs, and lack of mating ability despite being close to hens.
To improve egg fertility, it's important to eliminate Group A and Group C roosters while retaining the best from Group B. In practical breeding, it's common for roosters to reduce their performance in the later stages of egg production. Therefore, it’s necessary to replace or supplement them with new roosters. The new roosters should meet the same standards as Group B—healthy, disease-free, and ideally between 30-35 weeks old.
The replacement process involves selecting 40–50% of the original roosters from Groups A and C and removing them in the afternoon. After the flock has settled down at night, the new roosters are evenly distributed throughout the building. The number of new roosters should make up about 40–50% of the original group, ensuring that the total rooster-to-hen ratio remains around 8–11%. This helps prevent aggressive behavior among roosters and maintains optimal fertilization rates.
After the exchange, it's essential to monitor the flock closely and remove any overly aggressive roosters. Additionally, introducing new roosters may bring in pathogens, so they must undergo strict quarantine and isolation before being introduced to the existing flock.
Another effective method is to rotate roosters between different sheds. This not only keeps the roosters stimulated but also improves overall fertility. The two sheds involved should house healthy, disease-free birds of the same breed and similar age. This practice ensures consistency and minimizes stress during the transition.
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