Evolutions in Commercial Meat Poultry Breeding

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the history of commercial poultry breeding, from domestication to the development of science and commercial breeding structures. The development of breeding goals over time, from mainly focusing on production to broad goals, including bird welfare and health, robustness, environmental impact, biological efficiency and reproduction, is detailed. The paper outlines current breeding goals, including traits (e.g., on foot and leg health, contact dermatitis, gait, cardiovascular health, robustness and livability), recording techniques, their genetic basis and how trait these antagonisms, for example, between welfare and production, are managed. Novel areas like genomic selection and gut health research and their current and potential impact on breeding are highlighted. The environmental impact differences of various genotypes are explained. A future outlook shows that balanced, holistic breeding will continue to enable affordable lean animal protein to feed the world, with a focus on the welfare of the birds and a diversity of choice for the various preferences and cultures across the world.

An analysis of the welfare of fast-growing and slower-growing strains of broiler chicken

“…One reason why this comparison is difficult is because of a shifting baseline. Despite ongoing increases in ADG in FG strains, the incorporation of certain welfare traits in breeding goals has reportedly led to a sharp reduction in some welfare problems, particularly ascites (Neeteson et al, 2023). Some aspects of leg health have also steadily improved since, 2000 (Kappell et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2022a).…”

“…Some aspects of leg health have also steadily improved since, 2000 (Kappell et al, 2012;Santos et al, 2022a). Continued progress means that the Aviagen breeding company expects 96 -98% of Ross 308 birds to have no leg health defects by, 2023 and, 2025 respectively (Neeteson et al, 2023). Independent confirmation of achievement of these goals would be a major step forward given that the most recent studies, whilst acknowledging a lag, suggest average gait scores remain between 2 and 3.…”

“…Independent confirmation of achievement of these goals would be a major step forward given that the most recent studies, whilst acknowledging a lag, suggest average gait scores remain between 2 and 3. Overall, Aviagen breeding goals now encompass 40 different traits covering health, welfare, robustness, environmental impact, reproduction and production (Neeteson et al, 2023). The phenotypes of commercial SG strains are also in flux, with some possessing ADGs that exceed those of the fastest growing strains from just a few years ago.…”

“…Steps towards breeding FG birds with better welfare have already been partially (Neeteson et al, 2023), but not fully, successful. If further dissociation between growth rate and welfare can be achieved it raises the possibility of FG strains with excellent welfare.…”

Dissecting Selective Signatures and Candidate Genes in Grandparent Lines Subject to High Selection Pressure for Broiler Production and in a Local Russian Chicken Breed of Ushanka

“…By 2031, 153.85 metric kilotons of poultry meat are anticipated to be consumed globally and 41% of all world meat consumption will be chicken (as reviewed by [2]). The progress in broiler production relies upon advances in selective breeding [5] and the genetics of quantitative traits [6,7]. The respective influence of the latter on reproductive fitness has been, and continues to be, a major subject of study in artificial selection experiments [8,9].…”