The effect of time of day of insemination and oviposition on the fertility of turkey hens.

Turkey hens were inseminated at five different times of the day to determine the effect of time of day of insemination and the stage of egg formation on fertility. Results showed that fertility resulting from the 6 p.m. insemination was significantly greater than at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. Conversely, fertility was significantly lower at 1 p.m. than at the other four times. Fertility was significantly lower if hens were inseminated during the last 10 hours that the egg was in the uterus and during the approximate time of ovulation than during the other times of egg development.