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Comparative Study of Body Characteristics of Different Strains of Broiler Chickens

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada

J. P. Vaillancourt

Department of Food Animal and Equine Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 4700 Hillsbourough St., Raleigh, NC 27606

I. J. H. Duncan

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; Phone: (519) 824-4120, Ext. 3652; FAX: (519) 836-9873

Correspondence: I. J. H. Duncan, E-mail:iduncan{at}aps.uoguelph.ca

Body characteristics have been suggest as possible predisposing factors for disease conditions such as skin scratches and cellulitis in broiler chickens. In this study, two experiments were conducted to investigate the relationship between certain body characteristics and to compare two different strains of broiler chickens.

In the first experiment, the association between body weight and total skin surface area (TSSA) and abdominal skin surface area (ASSA) was investigate in 30 male birds from one genetic line. Body weight was significantly associated with total skin surface area (P. 0001) and abdominal skin surface area (P. 0001).

In the second experiment, 30 male birds each from two different strains (A and B) were examined to investigate whether significant differences existed regarding certain body characteristics. Strain A had a significantly greater abdominal circumference and shorter legs than Strain B. However, no significant difference was observed in body weight or abdominal skin surface area.

Key Words: Associations • body characteristics • broilers