A geneticist's perspective from within a broiler primary breeder company

Recent trends occurring in broiler primary breeding companies are described. The structure and operation of broiler primary breeder companies are described from pedigree elite populations, through great-grandparent and grandparent generations, down to the parent stock. The relatively low value of fertility and hatchability, compared with yield and feed efficiency as selection traits, is assessed. The impact of the last 10 yr of genetic improvement in broiler and breeder traits are quantified and discussed, and predictions for future performance are made. It is concluded that artificial insemination will not be used in broiler primary breeder grandparent flocks or broiler breeder flocks until there is a 20% decline in fertility.