Placement Density Influences Broiler Carcass Grade and Meat Yields

Male and female broilers were housed during warm weather at varying placement densities to determine the influence of density on carcass grade and yield. Males were reared to 49 days of age at densities of 0.8, 0.9, or 1.0 ft. 2/bird; females were raised at densities of 0.65, 0.75, or 0.91 ft. 2/bird to 42 days. All birds (ten replicate pens/treatment) were graded for carcass defects after processing, while ten birds/pen were held for cone deboning. Live performance of males was influenced by increasing placement density with negative influences on 49-day body weight and feed conversion. Females showed a similar non-significant trend in body weight. The percentage of grade “A” carcasses was reduced at the highest density in females, but due to the offsetting effect of back bruises, this result was not repeated in males. Breast fillet yield was reduced at the highest density in male birds, while this and other yield parameters were not influenced in females. The results of this study confirm that placement density can impact carcass quality, yield, and live performance.