Vol. 10, Issue 10, Part D (2025)

The evaluation of fresh semen quality is an important prerequisite for artificial insemination and cryopreservation in poultry. This study was conducted to characterize the macroscopic and microscopic semen parameters of Tellicherry roosters, an indigenous dual-purpose chicken breed of Kerala. Twenty roosters aged 20 weeks were maintained under individual housing and fed a standard breeder diet. Semen was collected by abdominal massage at three-day intervals and six ejaculates per bird were analysed. The mean ejaculate volume was 0.36±0.02 mL, with semen colour predominantly white (86.67±0.98 percent). The mean semen pH was slightly alkaline (7.27±0.03). Mass activity averaged 4.67±0.27, progressive motility was 89.69±0.39 percent and sperm concentration was 4106.25±149.00 million/mL. Sperm viability was 89.55±0.28 percent, abnormalities averaged 6.82±0.26 percentand hypo-osmotic swelling test reactivity was 90.01±0.36 percent. These values confirmed that Tellicherry semen is of high quality and suitable for artificial insemination and cryopreservation.