Behaviour and reproductive performance of Nigerian native chickens subjected to different mating ratios for a short term

Abstract

To date, there is no reported standard mating ratio for Nigerian native chickens despite their large population in the country. This study investigated the effect of mating ratio on behaviour, semen quality and level of stress. Sixty‐three (9 cocks and 54 hens) sexually matured birds were randomly assigned to three mating ratios (MR) of 1 cock to 3 hens (1C:3H), 1 cock to 6 hens (1C:6H) and 1 cock to 9 hens (1C:9H), and each MR was replicated three times. Each cock spent 2 weeks in a particular MR before it was moved to another. By the 6th week, all cocks had experienced the three mating ratios. Behaviour of the hens and sexual behaviour of the cocks were observed in the morning and evening, respectively, for 6 weeks. At the end of 2nd week in each MR, semen samples were collected and evaluated for motility, morphology, liveability and concentration, and blood samples were also taken from the cocks to determine the heterophil/lymphocyte (H:L) ratio, an indicator of stress. There was also no significant effect of mating ratio on the fertility of eggs and hatchability of the chicks. The number of hen–hen aggression instances, frequency of visits to the nest box and duration of nesting was not influenced by the mating ratio. However, the duration of nest seeking was higher at 1C:3H and lower at 1C:9H. A mating ratio of 1C:9H is therefore recommended for farmers interested in raising Nigerian native chickens.

Influence of exogenous corticosterone on testicular function and mating behavior of Nigerian indigenous cocks

“…Results from the current study showed that eCORT had no significant influence on the mating behavior of the cocks. In Nigerian indigenous chickens, mating ratio (1C:3H, 1C:6H and 1C:9H) has no significant effect on their mating behaviors (Iyasere et al, 2020). In the current study, a mating ratio of 1C:6H was adopted to avoid the establishment of social dominance among males.…”

“…Birds were housed in deep litter floors pens covered with 5 cm wood shaving (2m×5m, giving a stocking density of 590 g/m 2 ). Other descriptions of the poultry house are the same as that reported by Iyasere et al (2020). Birds were fed layers mash concentrate feed (16.5% CP and 2725-2980 kcal/kg metabolizable energy) at the rate of 120 g/bird/day (recommended quantity for laying bird), to prevent excess fat accumulation in the hens which could affect laying.…”

Village Chicken Production and Management Practices in Barishal, Bangladesh

“…The mating ratio in the studied area was 1:3 (cock: hen). In Nigerian native chickens, the recommended ratio at village conditions was 1:9 (cock: hen) [21]. In the existing situations, the cocks might be higher than the hens.…”