The Influence of Genetics on Economic Efficiency of Broiler Chickens Growth

Abstract

In this paper was studied the genetic effect on economic efficiency of broiler chickens growth, reared in intensive system on period of 42 days. The genetic material was represented of broiler chickens that belonged the hybrids „Ross-308” and „Cobb-500” with two groups („Ross-308”, LC-control group and „Cobb 500”, L1-experimental group). In the growth periods (starter, growth and finisher) chickens have received compound feed ad libitum with nutritional characteristics conforming to recommendations of the Aviagen Company. Broiler chickens and compound feed were weighed on each pen at: 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days, and was calculated: body weight gain (BWG), average daily gain (ADG) feed conversion ratio (FCR). Mortality was recorded daily. Thus, at the end of each growth period (14, 35 and 42 days), were calculated values for European Broiler Index (EBI) and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF). The highest values for EBI and EPEF were obtained at L1, and at LC situation was reversed. The economic efficiency of broiler chickens growth was positively influenced by the growth performance (BW, ADG and FCR) and the recorded viability. Although, the genotypes studied were reared under identical condition, the hybrid „Cobb-500” to registered slightly higher values for indices studied (P≤0.05), compared to the hybrid „Ross-308”.