Deer Farmer

Bell

Just wondering what the average conception rate is industry wide using conventional semen?

I would guess ours has been around 50-60%. Some years higher and some lower.

D&T Whitetails

Everything i read says expect about 60% Jonathon. I hit 60% 2 yrs an a crap 10% last yr. I am using full straws this yr to see if that brings up my rate

HAB Whitetails

We have averaged around 85% with Lap AI.* I think last year (this spring) was the worse at 75% (9 out of 12) . Time before we got 100%


Never tried sexed semen. The ones we are AIing are the future*replacement does

South Alabama Whitetails

I was 90% last year with lap ai. Usually around 65-70%.

Bell

Thanks for the input. I think that I read somewhere before the industry average was around 60%. I am trying to take everything into consideration as I move forward.

And I would be interested to know what kind of conception can be had using sexed semen and AI-ing vaginally. I am going to try it in the chute with sexed semen. I am hoping not sedating the does will also not slow down the semen and give it a better chance to penetrate the acrasome.

G O Whitetails

Jonathan, *don't use sexed semen on vaginal breeding. *Jim Moses told me it doesn't work. *he said he was down under 20%. *Sexed semen should only be used in Lap AI. *

D&T Whitetails

I was talking vag jonathon


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I thought one could vag ai using sexed BUT NOT to split the straw. Had to use full straw. Someone should know.

Johnny B

I used full straws of sexed semen on 4 does last fall, we had 3 out of the 4 take.*

Johnny B

I should add that I did transcervical not LAP. My average for my success rate is 70% for AI, I would say my average for yearlings is 40%.*

Bell

Do anyone think sedating the doe may slow down the semen motility or shorten its lifespan? That is another reason why I am considering trying it in the chute with sexed semen.

D&T Whitetails

I am pondering giving my does 1/4 cc bam to calm them down in the chute. I don't believe sedating hurts the semen. I think sedating helps in penetrating the cervix better. One can take their time when they aren't thrashing around in a chute. heck even my bottle fed puppy dogs thrash around in the chute. it will be a last minute call on 1/4 cc of bam for me

Bell

The back press and the kick plate on the Papa handler works. Elevated body temps kill semen cells. The sexed semen just isn't as durable. I don't think concentration is why it is recommended for LAP only. I believe the lifespan of the cell has been reduced during the sorting/sexing process. If the semen is deposited directly on the follicle, it doesn't have to swim far in order to penetrate the acrosome. IMO sedation drugs may temporarily slow semen motility and sexed semen doesn't need to be slowed. Especially male cells that are the sprinters. I believe female sexed semen may work better transcervically than male because the female cells remain motile longer.

Johnny B

If you are going to give your deer anything in the chute to calm them down I suggest a 1cc shot of Acepromazine, I have used it before with no ill effects on my AI conception rates on several farms. After having used it many times I only suggest using it for does that are really worked up prior to jumping into the drop chute. For the most part its easier to quickly deposit the semen just outside of the cervix and get the doe out of the chute instead of waiting a minute or so for the Acepromazine to start working, especially when you likely have a straw of semen thawed out and ready to go. Time is of the essence once straws have been thawed, the less time they can spend exposed the better off you will be.

Four Seasons Whitetails

I always put ours out as i dont like to just drop the semen at the Cervix opening. I myself always try to at least get thru the first Cervical O and drop the semen inside. Some i have i can pop threw the second O and then if that doe is ready ten she will take. *Cant do all that with them jumping around.


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I dont believe you can lose to many swimmers when you put the doe out and go into the Cervix as you are sending millions of them little guys and they only have to go a short distance. *

Bell

Mike their butts move very little when the back press is on them in the papa squeeze. When the speculum is inserted, they may initially struggle. In a few seconds they are relaxed. I have seen several chutes that I wouldn't AI in. I have gotten the best conception in the chute with conventional semen. I have been knocking them out with bam and haven't done near as well since. I agree that going through the first ring is best. Forcing it through the other 2 may cause a little blood which almost immediately kills semen. Doe aren't asleep when they are naturally bred. They are usually worked up.