Evaluation of Two Commercial Broiler Male Lines Differing in Efficiency of Feed Utilization

Abstract

Factors potentially influencing feed conversion were studied in two lines of broilers known to differ in efficiency of feed utilization. When fed diets differing in energy, line by diet interactions were seldom significant and line effects were greater than those between diets. Chicks from the more efficient line had less plumage cover, less fat, and spent more time sitting than those from the less efficient line. These data imply that improved feed conversion is a function of several traits.