Genetic‐economic evaluation of traits in a broiler enterprise : Reduction of food intake due to increased growth rate

Abstract

1. Separate mathematical models for food consumption and growth pattern of broilers were used to derive a combined model to estimate food consumption during the growth period.

2. The model was used to show that each reduction of one day in reaching a fixed body weight would reduce food consumption per bird by 50 to 60 g.

3. Broiler lines with a slow growth rate at an early age and rapid growth rate near market age require appreciably less food overall. This feature should be considered in breeding and feeding programmes.