Problems in modelling the growth of poultry

Abstract

The problems of predicting the growth, body conformation and feed intake of a flock of growing chickens are analysed in order to identify the key components needed to produce an effective model. Distinctions are made between the problems of a bird at one time, a bird over time, and a group of birds at a time. When considering a bird at a time a series of sub-problems is identified, including the prediction of the potential for growth and the way in which body composition should be taken into account. Given solutions to these problems, those of predicting the requirement of the bird for the resources of energy and nutrients for maintenance, growth and fattening then arise. For a bird fed ad libitum the rate of feed intake needs to be accurately predicted by the model if it is to be successful in predicting growth rate and efficiency. An approach to this problem is outlined, together with an initial approach to the problems raised when attempting to model populations of birds.

Keywords::

• Broiler
• energy
• feed intake
• growth
• growth model
• poultry