Conformation and Performance in Standardbred and Crossbred Broilers

INTRODUCTION WITHIN the last few years, considerable emphasis has been placed on the importance of producing high quality broilers with a minimum amount of feed and in the shortest period of time. The birds which have been utilized to meet this requirement have often been referred to as broiler strain chickens. To meet the needs of the specialty producer, strains supposedly superior in meat production and egg production have been developed. Factors such as rapid growth, rapid feathering, high feed efficiency, early maturity, body conformation, and egg production are desirable for egg production and broiler production strains. Due to the interest shown in the performance of broiler production strains, and egg production strains, a study was undertaken to compare body conformation and other selected factors between egg production strains of New Hampshires, broiler strains of New Hampshires, Barred Rocks, and crosses involving Barred Rocks and broiler strains of New Hampshires. . . .