The Appraisal of Conformation in Broilers

IN RECENT years increased interest in the improvement of conformation in broilers has been initiated by consumer preferences for chickens with superior fleshing qualities. This interest has been fostered to a large extent by the rapid expansion of the broiler industry and the stimulating effects of the “Chicken-of-Tomorrow” contest, which was designed to improve the meat quality of poultry. Major emphasis in this improvement of broilers has been placed on increased weight at marketing age, or earlier marketing at broiler weight, with improved conformation. At the present time general impressions of conformation and meat quality in broilers have become more or less synonymous with fleshing or development of the breast area. This improvement of conformation has been sought through various measurements which have been used to appraise the desirability of the dressed carcass from the phenotype of the live bird. Since very little is known about the relative effectiveness of . . .