Reproduction in Birds

The objective of the course is provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge of domestic and wild birds reproduction. After the course student should be able to organize and manage reproduction in commercial poultry farms and to control reproduction of amateur birds. Understanding of specific of birds reproduction provides the basis for implementing effective management programs for both in situ and ex situ protection of endangered breeds of poultry and wild birds.

Lectures

1. Reproduction behaviour of birds

2. Avian male and female reproductive organs

3. Seasonality of birds reproduction

4. Laying pattern of poultry

5. Sperm storage in the oviduct

6. Methods of evaluation of birds reproductive efficiency

7. Artificial insemination in reproduction of birds

8. Poultry reproduction under intensive production conditions

9. Application of reproduction in maintaining of birds biodiversity

Lab practical’s

1. Observations of reproduction behaviour of domestic birds

2. Semen collection, evaluation and artificial insemination

3. Sperm penetration assay in vivo and in vitro

4. Sex determination of domestic birds: sexing day- old chicks

1.Etches R. J.:Reproduction in Poultry. CABI, Oxford, UK, 1996.

2. Etches R.J.:Manipulation of the Avian Genome.CRC Press. Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 1993.

3. Appleby M.C., Mench J.A., Hughes B.O.:Poultry Behaviour and Welfare. CBI Publishing Oxfordshire, UK, 2004.