Effects of Onions - Ginger Mix Supplementation Levels on Semen Quality of Local Breeder Cocks

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was conducted to determine the effect of onion-ginger mix supplementation on semen quality of Nigerian local breeder cocks. Thirty-six local breeder cocks were used for the experiment. The local breeder cocks were divided into two equal groups, T₁ and T₂ with each group replicated thrice. Birds in group 1 received basal diet and as the control, while birds in group T₂ received basal diet supplemented with 5g onions and 5g ginger per 300 g feed for 3 weeks. The experimental diets were fed on an ad libitum basis to the birds during 35 d. Results revealed that onion-ginger mix supplementation at 5g per 300 g feed improved sperm forward motility (p<0.05). There was no effect of inclusion level of onion-ginger mix supplementation in diets on semen volume, pH, and sperm concentration. These results suggest that dietary onion-ginger mix may be used to improve sperm motility in local breeder cocks.