How to increase the fertilization rate and hatching of eggs

1. Breeding a Rooster with Strong Libido

Whether through natural mating or artificial insemination, it's essential that the rooster is in good health and maintains a strong sexual drive. A rooster with high libido produces better quality semen, which is crucial for increasing the hatchability of fertilized eggs. This is one of the most important factors in successful poultry breeding.

2. Proper Ratio of Breeding Stock

If using natural mating, the ideal male-to-female ratio is 1:7. However, when using artificial insemination, each rooster can service between 40 to 60 hens per day, provided that the semen is collected daily. Maintaining this balance ensures optimal fertility and efficient use of resources.

3. Keeping Breeding Roosters Separately

Breeding roosters should be kept separately due to their aggressive nature. When multiple roosters are housed together, they often fight, which drains their energy and reduces their sexual performance. Small-scale farmers may sometimes keep several roosters together to save space and reduce costs, but this is not recommended as it negatively affects the quality of semen and overall breeding success.

4. Nutrition for Breeder Chickens

The diet of breeder chickens should be well-balanced, ensuring that the roosters are neither too fat nor too thin. It's important to avoid feeding roosters with laying hen feed, as it contains high levels of calcium and phosphorus (up to 3.5% calcium and 0.6% phosphorus), which can strain their kidneys. Additionally, including vitamins—especially vitamin E—and trace minerals like zinc in the rooster’s diet helps improve sperm quality and overall reproductive health.

5. Insemination Volume and Interval

During artificial insemination, the recommended dose is 0.025 ml of semen. In summer, this amount should be doubled, and a diluent (in a 1:4 ratio of semen to diluent) should be added. Insemination should be done once every five days to maintain consistent fertility and optimize the chances of successful fertilization.

6. Egg Storage Conditions

Eggs should be stored at temperatures between 15°C and 20°C, with humidity maintained at 70% to 80%. The blunt end of the egg should face downward to ensure the yolk remains centered, preventing the embryo from sticking to the shell. Many small farms lack proper storage facilities, so they often hatch eggs immediately after collection, resulting in lower hatch rates (around 56% to 60%). For best results, eggs should be incubated within 48 hours of being laid, usually 3 to 5 days later. To maintain a hatch rate above 85%, eggs should not be stored longer than 10 days in winter or 7 days in summer.

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