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Techniques for Artificial Insemination of Turkeys and Chickens in Cages
Techniques for Artificial Insemination of Turkeys and Chickens in Cages ALLEN E. WOODARD, H. ABPLANALP, C. F. KELLY AND W. 0. WILSON University of California, Davis, California (Received for publication September 8, 1959)
R
This report describes (a) a portable table adapted to partial removal of turkeys from cages for semen collection and insemination, and (b) a portable table suitable for caged cocks and hens. The table permits one operator to perform the entire operation unassisted.
operator inserts the iron hook under the wire floor for support from the cage, and allows the back feeder guide to grip the outer lip of the feeder. The assisting operator pulls the bird upon the approach ramp and onto the bed of the table. The table design permits the wings of the birds to remain within the cage, hooked behind the face of the cage, in a position the bird naturally assumes when removal is attempted. The legs of the turkey are pulled over the rear lip of the table and held in position (see Figure 2). In this manner, large turkey hens and toms can be handled with minimum effort and maximum bird comfort. Semen is collected and hens inseminated by the usual methods. The times required for the new method and the older method were compared on the basis of a time-motion analyses. Chicken Table. The portable used for chickens, shown in Figure 3, differs from the turkey table in size. The dimensions are shown in Figure 4. Support is not needed from the cage floor. This table also fits a 14" feeder. The table is easily placed
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
Turkey Table. A portable table or platform of 10-gauge galvanized iron, designed to eliminate complete bird removal from the cage, was built to fit on a wall-supported 14" cage feeder. The dimensions are 11J" by 15|". An approach ramp 6" by llf" gives added support to the bird. Extra stability is provided by a bent piece of strap iron at the terminal end of the approach ramp (see Figure 1). The 687
FIG. 1. Portable turkey table board in position ready to receive turkey.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
ECORDS are more accurate and easier to obtain if turkeys and chickens are kept in individual cages instead of in floor pens. However, propagation in individual cages requires artificial insemination. The artificial insemination technique of Burrows and Quinn (2939) was modified by Moultrie (1956) and Gabriel (1957) for chickens confined to cages. Confinement of turkey hens and toms in cages is a more recent management practice. The technique described by Lorenz et al. (1959) works well with floor birds, but removing turkey hens and toms from cages can be a laborious task, sometimes causing moderate physical discomfort to both operator and bird. To our knowledge, an in-cage technique for artificial insemination of turkeys has not been described.
688
A. E. WOODARD, H. ABPLANALP, C. F. KELLY AND W. 0. WILSON
JMBTJ
If
Wf
FIG. 3. Portable table in position to receive chicken.
in operational position by putting the rear hook over the outer lip of the feeder while allowing the forward hook to slip in behind the lip of the feeder nearest the cage. The operator grasps both legs of the bird with the left hand, pulling the bird up the approach ramp onto the bed of the stand. The table design allows the wings of the bird to remainextended and locked against the front and side of the cage. The feet are hooked securely in position by a tension spring clamp covered with foam rubber tubing (see Figure 5). The spring i
clamp compensates for variations in leg size. The operator can now conveniently use both hands in collecting semen. The flat surface of the stand acts as a cushion against any pressures exerted during the operation, preventing unnecessary injury of the neck or abdominal regions of the bird. On completion of the operation the bird is released by turning the leg clamp down and outward. The bird walks back into the cage un-
~ ©
Leg ciamp
k
M"PLAN
A
^ 3 F " — 3"
'';
w~\
1 I t
7f
k
A / ^-Cage food trough SIDE
ELEVATION
FIG. 4. Dimensions of chicken insemination table, made of 10-gauge galvanized iron.
'
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
FIG. 2. Broad Breasted Bronze torn held in position on portable table.
689
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TABLE 1.—Average lime required for work elements involved in artificial insemination of chickens and turkeys. (Time in seconds per bird) Turkeys Work elements
Open cage Open cage and install table Remove bird and secure Remove bird Carry bird to stand Secure bird Release bird Return to cage Remove table and close cage Close cage Total time
Chickens portable table
Portable table d1
N H tf> SCWL
9
&
NH 9 S( :WL
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
— —
3.8
3.5
3.3 5.1
1.0 5.7
1.3 5.0
1.1 5.0
— — —
— — —
— — —
— — —
—
—
5.0 2.4 4.0 2.4 3.0
4.7
2.2
— —
— —
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
1.0
—
—
2.2
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
18.8
11.7
8.9
10.5
9.7
8.3
8.1
assisted. The table can be readily adjusted to a traveling position by firmly pressing the rear of the stand downward, disengaging the front feeder hook and allowing the portable stand to slip forward to the traveling guide hook. In this position the portable table can be moved quickly to adjacent cages without lifting. Insemination involves a similar operation. The hen is secured in the same position as the male. The oviduct is everted, as described by Burrows and Quinn (1939) except that the hen rests on the table. The new and old methods were compared on the basis of time-motion analyses with representative light and heavy breeds.
2.2
1.1
2.0
1.0
1.0
be approximately the same for both methods. The timed study was done at a regular rate of speed insofar as possible; with practice, the time required could be decreased. The turkey semen collecting method, using a floor stand described by Lorenz et al. (1959), requires complete bird removal and additional travel between cage and floor stand. The floor stand cannot always be placed near the cage. Thus, when birds are carried varying distances, the efficiency of the operation decreases. Use of the portable table increased the overall efficiency of semen collection about
DISCUSSION
The time-motion analysis is patterned after examples shown in Vaughn and Hardin (1949). Not all of the nine work elements chosen for listing in Table 1 apply. For example, in the new method the bird is not removed or carried at all. The results in Table 1 are based on 6 work element samplings per breed of birds. The time required for collection of semen and insemination is not included, for it would
9
FIG. 5. Male chicken secured into position by leg clamp ready for semen collection.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Floor stand
690
A. E . W O O D A R D , H. A B P L A N A L P , C. F . K E L L Y AND W. O. W I L S O N
Another possible use for the table— suggested but not tried—is to assist in vaccinations and injections with anti-
biotics, etc. I n summarizing, portable tables for semen collection and insemination of cage-confined turkeys, and chickens have been described and illustrated. The portable turkey table provides for partial removal, semen collection, and insemination, and is 37 percent more efficient t h a n a floor-stand method. With chickens, the work is done by one operator. REFERENCES Burrows, W. H., and J. P. Quinn, 1939. Artificial insemination of chickens and turkeys, United States Dept. Agric. Circ. 525. Gabriel, I., 1957. A complete one-man technique for the collection of cock semen and the insemination of caged hens. Poultry. Sci. 36: 1035-1037. Lorenz, F. W., W. K. Abbott, V. S. Asmundson, H. A. Adler, F. H. Kratzer, F. X. Ogasawara and J. D. Carson, 1959. Turkey fertility, California Agr. Expt. St. Circ. 472. Moultrie, F., 1956. A new technique for the artificial insemination of caged hens. Poultry Sci. 35: 1230-1234. Vaughn, L. M., and L. S. Hardin, 1949. Farm Work Simplification. John Wiley & Son, New York.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 686) A graduate in poultry husbandry from the University of California in 1950, he has operated his own 6,500 bird laying ranch, near Fontana, for the past nine years. U. S. CONGRESS COMMITTEE The United States members of the Council of the World's Poultry Science Association elected Dr. Cliff D. Carpenter, Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, California, as Chairman of the United States Committee for the 12th World's Poultry Congress to be held in Sydney, Australia, August 13-18, 1962. I.A.P.I. NOTES E. H. Driggs has been appointed European Director for the Institute of American Poultry Industries. He succeeds C. E. Sidler who has resigned recently.
The International Trade Development Committee was established by a number of poultry and egg organizations. The Institute serves as the agency to carry out market development programs with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The Committee receives financial support and cooperation from the American Poultry and Hatchery Federation, Arkansas Poultry Federation, Delmarva Poultry Industries, Institute of American Poultry Industries, National Broiler Council, National Turkey Federation, Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association and a number of private firms and individuals. During the three years during which Mr. Sidler has directed ITD European activities, a market for U. S. poultry, which last year reached over 50 million pounds, has been developed.
(Continuedon page 696)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
37 percent. Extra handling was eliminated, thereby reducing bird discomfort and minimizing bird injury. Since most turkey-hatching-egg producers inseminate artificially to supplement natural matings, the keeping of turkey hens in cages would save considerable labor in herding, catching, and lifting the birds. The chicken portable table was designed for a one-operator technique. One operator can complete the necessary work elements within 8 to 10 seconds, depending on the sex of the bird. Complete removal of the male, as required b y the Gabriel (1957) technique, is eliminated, and bird disturbance is reduced. I n the past we have inseminated the hen while she was supported by the feed trough, similar to the method described by Moultrie (1956). With the table the hen has better support and is not so likely to be injured.
R
This report describes (a) a portable table adapted to partial removal of turkeys from cages for semen collection and insemination, and (b) a portable table suitable for caged cocks and hens. The table permits one operator to perform the entire operation unassisted.
operator inserts the iron hook under the wire floor for support from the cage, and allows the back feeder guide to grip the outer lip of the feeder. The assisting operator pulls the bird upon the approach ramp and onto the bed of the table. The table design permits the wings of the birds to remain within the cage, hooked behind the face of the cage, in a position the bird naturally assumes when removal is attempted. The legs of the turkey are pulled over the rear lip of the table and held in position (see Figure 2). In this manner, large turkey hens and toms can be handled with minimum effort and maximum bird comfort. Semen is collected and hens inseminated by the usual methods. The times required for the new method and the older method were compared on the basis of a time-motion analyses. Chicken Table. The portable used for chickens, shown in Figure 3, differs from the turkey table in size. The dimensions are shown in Figure 4. Support is not needed from the cage floor. This table also fits a 14" feeder. The table is easily placed
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
Turkey Table. A portable table or platform of 10-gauge galvanized iron, designed to eliminate complete bird removal from the cage, was built to fit on a wall-supported 14" cage feeder. The dimensions are 11J" by 15|". An approach ramp 6" by llf" gives added support to the bird. Extra stability is provided by a bent piece of strap iron at the terminal end of the approach ramp (see Figure 1). The 687
FIG. 1. Portable turkey table board in position ready to receive turkey.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
ECORDS are more accurate and easier to obtain if turkeys and chickens are kept in individual cages instead of in floor pens. However, propagation in individual cages requires artificial insemination. The artificial insemination technique of Burrows and Quinn (2939) was modified by Moultrie (1956) and Gabriel (1957) for chickens confined to cages. Confinement of turkey hens and toms in cages is a more recent management practice. The technique described by Lorenz et al. (1959) works well with floor birds, but removing turkey hens and toms from cages can be a laborious task, sometimes causing moderate physical discomfort to both operator and bird. To our knowledge, an in-cage technique for artificial insemination of turkeys has not been described.
688
A. E. WOODARD, H. ABPLANALP, C. F. KELLY AND W. 0. WILSON
JMBTJ
If
Wf
FIG. 3. Portable table in position to receive chicken.
in operational position by putting the rear hook over the outer lip of the feeder while allowing the forward hook to slip in behind the lip of the feeder nearest the cage. The operator grasps both legs of the bird with the left hand, pulling the bird up the approach ramp onto the bed of the stand. The table design allows the wings of the bird to remainextended and locked against the front and side of the cage. The feet are hooked securely in position by a tension spring clamp covered with foam rubber tubing (see Figure 5). The spring i
clamp compensates for variations in leg size. The operator can now conveniently use both hands in collecting semen. The flat surface of the stand acts as a cushion against any pressures exerted during the operation, preventing unnecessary injury of the neck or abdominal regions of the bird. On completion of the operation the bird is released by turning the leg clamp down and outward. The bird walks back into the cage un-
~ ©
Leg ciamp
k
M"PLAN
A
^ 3 F " — 3"
'';
w~\
1 I t
7f
k
A / ^-Cage food trough SIDE
ELEVATION
FIG. 4. Dimensions of chicken insemination table, made of 10-gauge galvanized iron.
'
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
FIG. 2. Broad Breasted Bronze torn held in position on portable table.
689
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION TABLE 1.—Average lime required for work elements involved in artificial insemination of chickens and turkeys. (Time in seconds per bird) Turkeys Work elements
Open cage Open cage and install table Remove bird and secure Remove bird Carry bird to stand Secure bird Release bird Return to cage Remove table and close cage Close cage Total time
Chickens portable table
Portable table d1
N H tf> SCWL
9
&
NH 9 S( :WL
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
— —
3.8
3.5
3.3 5.1
1.0 5.7
1.3 5.0
1.1 5.0
— — —
— — —
— — —
— — —
—
—
5.0 2.4 4.0 2.4 3.0
4.7
2.2
— —
— —
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
1.0
—
—
2.2
1.0
—
—
—
—
—
—
18.8
11.7
8.9
10.5
9.7
8.3
8.1
assisted. The table can be readily adjusted to a traveling position by firmly pressing the rear of the stand downward, disengaging the front feeder hook and allowing the portable stand to slip forward to the traveling guide hook. In this position the portable table can be moved quickly to adjacent cages without lifting. Insemination involves a similar operation. The hen is secured in the same position as the male. The oviduct is everted, as described by Burrows and Quinn (1939) except that the hen rests on the table. The new and old methods were compared on the basis of time-motion analyses with representative light and heavy breeds.
2.2
1.1
2.0
1.0
1.0
be approximately the same for both methods. The timed study was done at a regular rate of speed insofar as possible; with practice, the time required could be decreased. The turkey semen collecting method, using a floor stand described by Lorenz et al. (1959), requires complete bird removal and additional travel between cage and floor stand. The floor stand cannot always be placed near the cage. Thus, when birds are carried varying distances, the efficiency of the operation decreases. Use of the portable table increased the overall efficiency of semen collection about
DISCUSSION
The time-motion analysis is patterned after examples shown in Vaughn and Hardin (1949). Not all of the nine work elements chosen for listing in Table 1 apply. For example, in the new method the bird is not removed or carried at all. The results in Table 1 are based on 6 work element samplings per breed of birds. The time required for collection of semen and insemination is not included, for it would
9
FIG. 5. Male chicken secured into position by leg clamp ready for semen collection.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Floor stand
690
A. E . W O O D A R D , H. A B P L A N A L P , C. F . K E L L Y AND W. O. W I L S O N
Another possible use for the table— suggested but not tried—is to assist in vaccinations and injections with anti-
biotics, etc. I n summarizing, portable tables for semen collection and insemination of cage-confined turkeys, and chickens have been described and illustrated. The portable turkey table provides for partial removal, semen collection, and insemination, and is 37 percent more efficient t h a n a floor-stand method. With chickens, the work is done by one operator. REFERENCES Burrows, W. H., and J. P. Quinn, 1939. Artificial insemination of chickens and turkeys, United States Dept. Agric. Circ. 525. Gabriel, I., 1957. A complete one-man technique for the collection of cock semen and the insemination of caged hens. Poultry. Sci. 36: 1035-1037. Lorenz, F. W., W. K. Abbott, V. S. Asmundson, H. A. Adler, F. H. Kratzer, F. X. Ogasawara and J. D. Carson, 1959. Turkey fertility, California Agr. Expt. St. Circ. 472. Moultrie, F., 1956. A new technique for the artificial insemination of caged hens. Poultry Sci. 35: 1230-1234. Vaughn, L. M., and L. S. Hardin, 1949. Farm Work Simplification. John Wiley & Son, New York.
NEWS AND NOTES (Continued from page 686) A graduate in poultry husbandry from the University of California in 1950, he has operated his own 6,500 bird laying ranch, near Fontana, for the past nine years. U. S. CONGRESS COMMITTEE The United States members of the Council of the World's Poultry Science Association elected Dr. Cliff D. Carpenter, Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, California, as Chairman of the United States Committee for the 12th World's Poultry Congress to be held in Sydney, Australia, August 13-18, 1962. I.A.P.I. NOTES E. H. Driggs has been appointed European Director for the Institute of American Poultry Industries. He succeeds C. E. Sidler who has resigned recently.
The International Trade Development Committee was established by a number of poultry and egg organizations. The Institute serves as the agency to carry out market development programs with the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The Committee receives financial support and cooperation from the American Poultry and Hatchery Federation, Arkansas Poultry Federation, Delmarva Poultry Industries, Institute of American Poultry Industries, National Broiler Council, National Turkey Federation, Southeastern Poultry and Egg Association and a number of private firms and individuals. During the three years during which Mr. Sidler has directed ITD European activities, a market for U. S. poultry, which last year reached over 50 million pounds, has been developed.
(Continuedon page 696)
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Kainan University on May 1, 2015
37 percent. Extra handling was eliminated, thereby reducing bird discomfort and minimizing bird injury. Since most turkey-hatching-egg producers inseminate artificially to supplement natural matings, the keeping of turkey hens in cages would save considerable labor in herding, catching, and lifting the birds. The chicken portable table was designed for a one-operator technique. One operator can complete the necessary work elements within 8 to 10 seconds, depending on the sex of the bird. Complete removal of the male, as required b y the Gabriel (1957) technique, is eliminated, and bird disturbance is reduced. I n the past we have inseminated the hen while she was supported by the feed trough, similar to the method described by Moultrie (1956). With the table the hen has better support and is not so likely to be injured.