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Abstract
1. The present study determined descriptive values of the main production measurements of flocks and assessed the relationship between these measurements and related management factors in Japanese commercial broiler farms.
2. The data set included 5060 flock records from 183 farms. The production index was calculated as follows: liveability × average daily gain/feed conversion ratio × 10. Management factors included in the analysis were broiler breeder age, the time interval between successive flocks, the season of placement and stocking density.
3. The mean (±SD) production index was 283.9 ± 28.83. Management factors significantly associated with a decreased production index were low broiler breeder age, flocks placed in summer and high stocking density (P < 0.05).
4. In regard to an interaction for the production index, flocks with high stocking density had a lower production index than those with low stocking density in flocks with a low broiler breeder age (P < 0.05). In summer, flocks with a short time interval between successive flocks had a lower production index than those with an intermediate or long time interval (P < 0.05).
5. The present study identified factors related to flock performance. The knowledge obtained from this analysis will contribute to improve flock performance by optimising management.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are grateful to the cooperative producers who provided their data for use in the present study.