Poultry Behavior

Poultry Behavior and Welfare Program,

University of Maryland

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CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT

I am currently conducting my Ph. D. research on male reproductive behavior, morphometrics of the secondary sexual characteristics, and endocrinology in relation to fertility of two different lines of broiler breeder domestic fowl. I am proposing that there are characteristics in the males that will correlate with fertility, such as the intensity of display of reproductive behavior, and the development of secondary sexual characteristics. This research will attempt to correlate these characteristics with other parameters of the reproductive system, such as semen quality and reproductive endocrinology. Any behavioral and / or morphometric traits which are positively associated with reproductive success can be said to be indicators of "high quality" males. One of the main goals of this work is to determine easily identifiable male behavioral and morphometric characteristics which are reliable indicators of male quality that can be employed by the poultry industry as a method to select high quality broiler breeders. This will aid in ensuring high fertility in the broiler breeders.