In pursuit of a better broiler: growth, efficiency, and mortality of 16 strains of broiler chickens.

摘要: Abstract To meet the growing consumer demand for chicken meat, poultry industry has selected broiler chickens increasing efficiency and breast yield. While this high productivity means affordable consistent product, it come at a cost to welfare. There been advocacy pressure on primary breeders, producers, processors, retailers improve welfare of billions processed annually. Several small-scale studies have reported better outcomes slower-growing strains compared fast-growing, conventional strains. However, these often housed birds with range access or used vastly different growth rates. Additionally, there may be traits other than growth, such as body conformation, that influence As global industries consider implications using slower strains, was need comprehensive, multidisciplinary examination wide genotypes differing in rate phenotypic traits. need, our team designed study benchmark data reared standardized laboratory conditions. Over 2-year period, we studied 7,528 broilers from 16 genetic In paper, compare efficiency, mortality one two target weights (TW): 2.1 kg (TW1) 3.2 kg (TW2). We categorized by their TW2 (CONV), fastest-slow (FAST), moderate-slow (MOD), slowest-slow (SLOW). When incubated, hatched, housed, managed, fed same, categories differed weights, rates, feed intake, efficiency. At 48 d age, CONV category were 835 1,264 g heavier categories. By TW2, differences intake resulted 22 43-point difference conversion ratios. Categories did not differ overall