The Role of Nutrition and Management Practices in Improving Fertility in Poultry

Maximizing the broiler's immense development potential in order to produce birds with high body weights and abundant breast meat is the primary objective of broiler production. However, fertility is inversely associated with each of these goals. The performance of broiler breeders presents a significant challenge to geneticists because broiler breeder selection requires maintaining a delicate balance between optimising growth and preserving competitive level of reproduction. Male aggression and its detrimental effects on mating behaviour and fertility have been under considerable scrutiny since the development of strains with high breast output. The ability of males to reproduce varies. Some roosters in a flock are exceptionally fertile and produce sperm of the finest quests, whereas other roosters are sub-fertile. A rooster's quality might vary depending on management, the environment, nutrition, and genetics. It is commonly accepted that fertilisation will take place if the hen is able to lay eggs and the sperm is viable. Semen deficiency in the oviduct, typically as a result of issues with mating frequency or mating success, may be the cause of infertility. Numerous elements, including genetics, nutrition, environment, and behaviour have an impact on this. It is widely acknowledged that foods, such as protein and energy components, that affect general body size and body composition might affect female fertility. According to research, reducing the amount of crude protein in the diet from 16% to 14%, 12%, or 10%, respectively, significantly increases fertility from 91.6% to 95.4%. Additionally, for optimal semen generation in male diets, the crude protein ratio might be as low as 9-10%. Low protein diets, however, can increase fertility by up to 2-3 percent. Additionally, vitamins and trace minerals, especially vitamin E, carotenoids, and selenium, which function as natural antioxidants and protect the sperm and embryo, can have a significant impact on fertility and hatchability.