In pursuit of a better broiler: tibial morphology, breaking strength, and ash content in conventional and slower-growing strains of broiler chickens.

This study was conducted to determine the differences in bone traits in 14 strains of broiler chickens differing in growth rate. The strains encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG >60 g/d) and 12 slower-growing (SG) strains classified as FAST (ADG = 53-55 g/d), MOD (ADG = 50-51 g/d), and SLOW (ADG <50 g/d), with 4 strains represented in each SG category. A total of 7,216 mixed-sex birds were equally allocated into 164 pens (44 birds/pen; 30 kg/m) in a randomized incomplete block design, with each strain represented in 8 to 12 pens over 2-3 trials.

In pursuit of a better broiler: walking ability and incidence of contact dermatitis in conventional and slower growing strains of broiler chickens.

In this study, the mobility, incidence, and severity of contact dermatitis and litter moisture content were assessed in 14 strains of broiler chickens differing in growth rate. The strains encompassed 2 conventional (CONV; ADG > 60 g/d) and 12 slower growing (SG) strains categorized as FAST (ADG = 53-55 g/d), MOD (ADG = 50-51 g/d), and SLOW (ADG < 50 g/d), with 4 strains in each category. A total of 7,216 mixed-sex birds were equally allocated into 164 pens (44 birds/pen; 30 kg/m) in a randomized incomplete block design, with each strain represented in 8 to 12 pens over 2-3 trials.

In pursuit of a better broiler: carcass traits and muscle myopathies in conventional and slower-growing strains of broiler chickens.

Selection for accelerated growth rate and high breast yield in broiler chickens have been associated with an increase in myopathies, including wooden breast (WB) and white striping (WS). To investigate effects of growth rate on carcass traits and incidence of myopathies, 14 strains were evaluated, encompassing 2 conventional (CONV; strains B and C: ADG > 60 g/d) and 12 slower-growing (SL) strains. The latter were categorized based on growth rate: FAST (strains F, G, I and M; ADG=53-55 g/d), MOD (strains E, H, O and S; ADG=50-51 g/d), and SLOW (strains D, J, K and N; ADG<50 g/d).