The Effect of Four Stocking Densities on Broiler Carcass Grade, the Incidence of Breast Blisters, and Other Performance Traits

A total of 3544 chicken broilers were used in an experiment in which chickens were housed at 3.72, 5.55, 7.44, and 9.27 dm2 floor area per bird. Increased bird density resulted in a significant (P<.05) linear reduction in body weight of both males and females and adversely affected carcass quality. There was a significant (P<.05) increase in the incidence of breast blisters in females with the linear effect approaching significance for males. With increased stocking density, the monetary returns per bird started, declined linearly. An opposite and significant (P<.05) effect occurred when returns were based on units of floor area.