Early prediction of performance in broilers: relationship between length of tarsometatarsus and weight gain

Two groups, each of 25 Hubbard broiler chicks, were individually raised in cages for 49 d. The tarsometatarsus length at 1-d old and finishing point, food utilisation and finishing body weight were recorded and statistically analysed. Birds with long tarsometatarsi at 1-d old were found to have significantly (P less than 0.001) greater finishing body weights than those with short tarsometatarsi at 1-d old. A strong correlation (r = 0.80) was found between length of tarsometatarsus at 1-d old and body weight at 49 d. Length of tarsometatarsus at 1-d old is thus a possible basis for predicting body weight gain.