Comparison of Broiler Strain Crosses Developed in the US and UK Using Corn and Wheat Based Feeds: Live Performance and Processing of Males for Nine Piece Cuts

Peterson × Arbor Acres (PxAA) represented a broiler strain developed in the US while Ross × Ross (RxR) represented a broiler strain from the UK. Males from both strains were fed a corn/soybean meal/fish meal regimen typical of the US, or a wheat based regimen typical of the UK from 0 to 6 weeks. In an additional series of diets, corn gluten meal (CGM) was substituted for fish meal (FM). PxAA and RxR had similar live performance when given the regimen based on corn, RxR had improved weights when given the wheat-based regimen even though the reduced metabolizable energy of this diet adversely affected feed conversion. Substitution of FM with CGM decreased performance of both regimens, and RxR suffered more than PxAA. Alterations in abdominal fat, appearance of carcass defects, and yields of parts using a nine piece cut were expressed independently for strain-cross, feeding regimen, and protein substitution such that RxR, wheat regimen, and fish meal use were generally favored.