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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 23, 2026

In Ovo Feeding of Commercial Broiler Eggs: An Accurate and Reproducible Method to Affect Muscle Development and Growth

In Ovo Feeding of Commercial Broiler Eggs: An Accurate and Reproducible Method to Affect Muscle Development and Growth

Published on: September 20, 2021

Growth, efficiency, and yield of commercial broilers from 1957, 1978, and 2005.

M J Zuidhof¹, B L Schneider², V L Carney²

¹Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2P5 martin.zuidhof@ualberta.ca.

Poultry Science

|September 28, 2014

Summary

Commercial broiler selection significantly enhanced growth and feed efficiency over 48 years. Genetic selection increased breast meat yield while reducing abdominal fat, optimizing broiler production.

Keywords:

broiler efficiency genetic change yield dynamics

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Area of Science:

Animal Science
Genetics
Poultry Science

Background:

Commercial broiler strains undergo continuous genetic selection for production traits.
Understanding the impact of selection on growth, efficiency, and carcass yield is crucial for sustainable poultry production.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the effects of long-term commercial selection on broiler growth, feed efficiency, and carcass composition.
To compare modern commercial broiler strains with historical unselected lines.

Main Methods:

Utilized University of Alberta Meat Control strains (unselected since 1957 and 1978) and a commercial Ross 308 strain (2005).
Grew broilers to 56 days of age on a standard nutritional program, collecting weekly photographs for growth analysis.
Employed Gompertz growth models and nonlinear analysis of covariance to assess growth patterns and allometric changes.

Main Results:

Broiler growth increased over 400% from 1957 to 2005, with a 50% reduction in feed conversion ratio (FCR).
Annual 42-day FCR decreased by 2.55% over the 48-year period.
Pectoralis major yield increased significantly (79-85%), while abdominal fat decreased due to genetic selection.

Conclusions:

Commercial genetic selection has successfully improved broiler growth, feed efficiency, and breast meat yield.
While beneficial changes were achieved, potential unintended consequences like enhanced sexual dimorphism warrant consideration for future breeding programs.