Final research results report prepared for Global Animal Partnership

Abstract

In pursuit of a better broiler, researchers comprehensively studied conventional and slower-growing broiler chickens raised under identical conditions. The study analyzed their behavior, mobility, anatomy, physiology, mortality, feed efficiency, and carcass and meat quality, categorizing them into conventional, fastest slow, moderate slow, and slowest slow based on average daily gain. It was found that faster growing strains exhibited lower activity levels, poorer mobility, foot and hock health, along with higher muscle damage markers, muscle myopathy rates, and potentially inadequate organ development. These findings highlight the trade-offs associated with high productivity in broiler chickens, indicating that fast growth rate coupled with high breast yield negatively impacts welfare outcomes. – AI-generated abstract.