Artificial Insemination

[Schaafty]

Does anyone here use artificial insemination, why? How? Wh are the pros and cons?

 

[Twistedfeather]

Artificial insemination is more of a larger animal thing. But the turkey industry uses it with their broad breasted bronze turkeys who normally are way too heavy to be able to mount females without hurting them. Are you thinking of doing this with your birds to breed? I think with chickens it's better to let it be done naturally because the roosters aren't too big for the females.

 

[lazy gardener]

My understanding is that it is used for birds that have excessive fluff around their nether regions. If the birds are being used for show, it would not be warranted to trim them, so AI is the other option. It would also be useful for folks who are trying to breed CXR or other very heavy breeds where the roo has a hard time getting the job done.

 

[Schaafty]

Okay, thank you, I had read about it but just didn't know much so I thought I would ask.

 

[Japetus]

Sorry for hijacking this thread instead of opening a new one, but I'd really like your feedback on this matter.
I have a much loved Ayam cemani pair among my flock but unfortunately a couple of months ago the rooster got attacked by a goose and had his wing broken. Since then I keep the pair separated from the other birds, the roo was getting better, and I was very eager to get chicks from them - they're both 3yo.
The previous week, a silkie hen started hatching a batch of different eggs, and upon candling them today, all but the AC ones were fertile. While the roo mounts the hen it seems that his handicapped wing prohibits him for completing the task.
So, as I really want to get siblings for them because I don't know if I will ever be able to find this breed again, I thought that perhaps AI would help.
If someone has successfully performed it, please share your knowledge.

 

[aart]

It's been done....here's a backyarder:

And there are other options.

Haven't seen much of it here on BYC.