Female chickens (hens) account for around 90% of the breeder flock population, yet males contribute 50% of the flock’s genetic output. Poor male management will limit the production potential of day-old chicks (DOC). To achieve maximum performance, males must develop a large skeletal frame, maintain proper body condition, and sustain mating activity over time.

Performance Begins During the Rearing Period

Males and females should be reared separately from DOC stage until mating age (21–24 weeks), with separate feeding and drinking systems. Grading (size selection) is recommended as early as possible, since approximately 50% of skeletal development occurs within the first four weeks. Achieving a 28-day body weight target of around 745–755 grams will support optimal skeletal development. The lightest males should be culled to create a stronger and more uniform flock.

Uniformity is the most critical factor in male management. Non-uniform flocks can create dominance issues, mating ratio problems, and reduced fertility.

Males are highly sensitive to limited resources. High stocking density increases competition, dominance behavior, and body condition variation. Male density should not exceed 4 birds/m², while female density may be adjusted to support this target. During rearing, feeder space should gradually increase alongside male growth, and stocking density must be carefully managed, especially after 10 weeks of age.

By 15 weeks, the focus shifts from body weight uniformity to body condition uniformity. Male breast condition should be monitored routinely. Ideal males develop from a “Sunken V” breast shape toward a “Standard V” as they grow. Poor breast condition negatively affects mating ability, semen quality, and reproductive longevity, while overly fleshy males may experience incomplete mating.

Preparing Males for the Mating Period (18–22 Weeks)

Before entering the production house, final selection should be carried out. Males with short legs, poor skeletal structure, uneven body condition, or physical defects should be removed. At this stage, only about 9.5–10% males are needed to maintain balance without causing overcrowding or excessive competition. Uniformity levels should exceed 90% (CV around 6%).

Characteristics of Active Working Males

Productive males generally have:

• Red and moist cloacas with slight feather wear around the area

• Slight feather wear on shoulders and thighs, indicating mating activity

• Straight legs and clean footpads

• Good pigmentation on legs and joints

• Bright red combs and wattles

• Stable breast condition within the ideal range (U-shape)

Special male feed is not recommended before 25 weeks of age. Adequate feeder space must be provided and properly managed to prevent dominant males from overeating. Males should also be prevented from accessing female feed.

From 30 weeks onward, males are expected to gain approximately 25–30 grams per week, supported by small but consistent feed increases (at least 1 gram every 2–3 weeks). This helps prevent body weight loss during peak production while avoiding excessive fatness. Underfed males will appear lethargic, with weakened combs followed by softening of breast muscles.

Body weight monitoring, body condition evaluation, and cloacal color assessment should be conducted at least every two weeks. Maintaining fewer but active and productive males is preferable to keeping unproductive males merely to fulfill mating ratios. Weak or inactive males should be culled immediately.

Gradual weekly reductions are more effective than large periodic reductions. Over-mating can reduce fertility, hatchability, and egg production, so male numbers should be reduced promptly if such signs appear.

Production Period and Male Replacement

Initial males can generally remain productive up to 40 weeks of production. However, if fertility declines during mid-production despite good management, a replacement program of around 30% males may help maintain fertility performance.

Replacement males should have:

• Large skeletal frames

• Proper body condition

• 3–5 weeks of light stimulation before introduction

Strict biosecurity is essential to prevent disease introduction. Replacement males should be specially marked and monitored separately for 4–6 weeks after introduction.

Although hens produce the eggs, males ultimately determine whether those eggs become chicks. Successful breeder farms treat male management with the same level of attention as female management, focusing on uniformity, body condition, proper feeding, and intensive observation throughout the production cycle. Even small improvements in male management can result in significant gains in fertility and hatchability.

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