Criteria of Conformation in Market Poultry

Abstract

REGARDLESS of agitation for the sale of dissected carcasses, the conformation of market poultry primarily determines its monetary value for human consumption. Broad-breasted and plump dressed birds are preferred to those having narrower breasts. Experiments demonstrate that this difference is not solely a question of fat deposition. Even superficial observation of existing strains proves that apparent plumpness of the body is largely heritable. The observations recorded in this report indicate methods of recording, summarizing, and comparing differences in body conformation of live and dressed poultry. The two species used are the domestic chicken and turkey. These represent the majority of the poultry marketed for human consumption. CRITERIA OF CONFORMATION In describing the conformation of dressed birds all linear measurements must be related to the volume of the body. Since differences in specific gravity of birds are negligible, body weight is considered to be the most practical measure of volume. To . . .