Evaluating Broiler Breeders For Future Meat Production Created

Evaluating Broiler Breeders For Future Meat Production Created By: Jerry Taylor Agriculture Teacher Madison CO High Georgia Department of Agricultural Curriculum July 2003

Factors To Consider When Evaluating Broiler Breeders • Deformities – Automatic Cull • Body Conformation 60% of total. • Breast Meat Quantity 40% of total.

Broiler Deformities Blind in one eye Severely Crossed beak Crooked neck Severely crooked back Severely crooked keel One or more solid black feathers in wing or tail. No tail feathers Green shank Severely crooked toe Leg & foot abnormalities that affect the bird’s walk

Evaluating Broiler Breeder Body Conformation • Objectively comparing the shape and size of body parts relative to each other. • A )Width across shoulders • B) Length of back • C) depth of body • D) length of keel • E) spring of ribs • F) width across hips

Evaluating Broiler Breeder Breast Meat Quantity 1 2 • Bird 1 has a short breast. • Bird 2 has a long breast.

Evaluating Broiler Breeder Breast Meat Quantity • 1. Has a shallow breast with poor depth of muscle. • 2. Has a deep breast indicating good depth of muscle. 1 2

Evaluating Broiler Breeder Breast Meat Quantity • 1) A narrow breast indicates poor width of muscling. • 2) A Wide breast indicates good width of muscling. 1 2