Effect of presence or absence of the opposite sex on egg production and semen quality of breeder turkeys.

The effect of the presence or absence of the opposite sex on egg production and semen quality of breeder turkeys was evaluated. Ninety-six female and 36 male Medium White turkeys were used in this study. Two males were released, individually, into each of eight pens of females for 15 min each day, 5 days/wk. Two males in each of four pens of females were physically isolated in wire-enclosed cages in full view of the females. Males assigned to the remaining four pens of females were placed in isolated pens so they were physically, visually, and vocally separated from the females. Egg production was significantly higher for females under natural mating conditions than for females visually exposed to males in holding pens or for females completely isolated from males. Females visually exposed to, but not in contact with males, laid more eggs than those completely isolated from males during the 13th through the 18th week of production. Semen volume and semen concentration was significantly lower, and the percentage normal sperm was higher for males mating naturally than for those maintained in the presence of or completely isolated from females. Semen concentration was highest in isolated males.