AI in poultry is a three-step procedure involving semen collection, semen dilution and insemination. The second step may be omitted if ‘neat’ semen (undiluted) is to be used for inseminations within 30 minutes after collection.
Semen collection
The first step in AI program is manual collection (milking) of the semen. For semen collection, a team of two members are generally involved, one for restraining the male and the other for collecting semen.
The bird is held in a horizontal position by a person at a height convenient to the operator who is attempting to collect the semen. To collect semen the operator should place the thumb and index finger of the left hand on either side of the cloaca and massage gently. By his right hand the operator should hold a collecting funnel and with the thumb and index finger massage the soft part of abdomen below the pelvic bones. Massage should be rapid and continuous until the cock protrudes the papilla from the cloaca. Once the papilla is fully protruded, the previously positioned thumb and index finger of the left hand are used to squeeze out the semen in to the collecting funnel. Avoid contamination of semen with faeces and feather.
Semen evaluation at the time of collection
Normal colour of the semen in pearly white or cream coloured. Yellow semen and semen contaminated with blood, urates, faeces or other debris should be avoided.
Do not allow semen to contact water.
If debris or contaminants are observed in pooled semen, carefully aspirate contaminates from the sample before mixing with additional diluent with the semen
Place the diluted semen in a cooler or refrigerator (3 to 12 oC) to cool down.
Insemination:
All equipment used for insemination should be thoroughly cleaned and dry before use. Insemination must be carried out when majority of the birds completed laying since a hard shelled egg in the lower end of the oviduct obstructs insemination and lowers fertility. In practice, inseminating chicken after 3 pm obtains better results. In turkey flocks much better results are obtained if insemination is done after 5 pm. It is difficult to inseminate non-laying hens. Usually insemination is done when the flock reaches 25% egg production. Hens are inseminated twice during first week. Then at weekly intervals.
Procedure:
Bird is held by the legs with the left hand down and tail tucked back and against the operator chest.
The thumb of the right hand is placed against the upper lip of the vent then with a rounding motion press the abdomen muscle.
Do not squeeze with fingers but apply pressure evenly with the palm of the hand. When the oviduct is everted, the second operator inserts the syringe into oviduct as far as it is going inside without exerting pressure. The insemination apparatus is introduced into the vagina about 1 inch and semen is deposited at the junction of vagina and uterus.
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