Dietary Protein and Fertility of Male Chickens

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Abstract
Results from an experiment with 3 groups of 8 White Leghorn male chickens each fed rations containing 16.9, 10.7 and 6.9% of protein over a 33-week period show that decreasing the protein in the diet had no adverse effect on semen volume. Decreasing the quantity and quality of protein within the limits of this trial also had no adverse effect on fertilizing capacity of semen, as determined by artificial insemination; in fact a significant difference (P < 0.05) in favor of the lowest protein level was noted. Hatchability of fertile eggs was unaffected by protein level. Males on the high protein ration ate more feed and gained more in body weight than those on the lower protein rations.