Comparison of three nonlinear regression models for describing broiler growth curves

Three general growth models (Logistics, Gompertz and Saturation Kinetics) were compared for describing growth of broilers. Accuracy of fit, case of use and interpretation of data were used to compare the models. Data from a broiler feed restriction study was used to illustrate the parameter differences between the models. All three models accurately described the growth of the birds from the different experimental treatments based on coefficients of determination greater than or equal to .966. The Saturation Kinetics model proved to be the least accurate based on examination of residual values but still had a high association to the actual data. Linear regression applied to short intervals of the growth curve also proved to be an accurate means of interpreting growth rates.