Effect of semen dosage and insemination frequency on the fertility of local Pearl guinea fowl in Nigeria

Abstract

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment involving two dosage levels (0.5 and 0.10 ml of one part semen diluted with one part egg yolk-citrate solution) and two insemination frequencies (once and twice weekly) from five incubations was carried out with local Pearl guinea fowls in Nigeria. Artificially inseminating each hen with 0.10 ml diluted semen resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) improved egg fertility. Inseminating twice a week resulted in somewhat higher egg fertility at the lower dosage (P < 0.10). An interaction effect (P < 0.10) of dosage and frequency was observed. Results indicate that once or twice weekly insemination with 0.10 ml diluted semen gives improved egg fertility.