For those raising poultry, especially broiler breeders, maintaining flock fertility is crucial for consistent production. One proven management technique is spiking males, a practice where younger males are introduced into an older flock to stimulate mating and maintain fertility levels. Here’s a general overview of how it works and why it’s important for flock performance.
Why Spiking Males is Important
As hens age, starting around 35-40 weeks, their mating rates and fertility naturally decline. Spiking helps to boost fertility by adding younger, more active males into the flock. This compensates for the drop in mating activity and sperm quality in older males, keeping the hatchability rates up.
Best Practices for Spiking Success
Timing is Everything: Spiking is most effective when done before fertility starts to drop significantly. Usually, the ideal time is when hens are between 35 and 40 weeks of age. Spiking too late may not provide the desired results.
Male Quality Matters: The success of a spiking program depends on the quality of the males. Choose males that are in excellent health and free from physical defects. Poorly selected males may not be able to establish themselves in the flock, leading to lower fertility.
Monitor Social Dynamics: When new males are introduced, there’s a period where the flock will re-establish its social hierarchy. It’s important to manage this carefully, as poor management can lead to reduced fertility and even increased male mortality.
Biosecurity is Critical: Any time new birds are introduced to the flock, biosecurity measures must be strictly enforced. Ensure the new males come from a healthy source, free of diseases like Mycoplasma or Avian Influenza, to avoid any biosecurity risk.
Intra-Spiking: An Alternative Method
For some, intra-spiking—where a portion of males are exchanged between houses on the same farm—can be a more biosecure alternative. This method avoids introducing new birds but still stimulates mating activity, helping to maintain fertility without the risks associated with bringing in outside males.
Conclusion
Spiking males can be a highly effective strategy to extend the fertility of a broiler breeder flock, but it requires careful planning and management. From selecting high-quality males to maintaining biosecurity, each step is critical to the success of the program. If done correctly, spiking can lead to a noticeable improvement in hatchability, keeping your flock’s performance strong.
For more detailed information on spiking methods and other flock management tips, check out the Cobb Breeder Management Guide.