Comparative evaluation of three commercial broiler stocks in hot versus temperate climates
Articles > Article · 1997
Authors: Zişan Servet YALÇIN, P SETTAR, Sezen ÖZKAN, A CAHANER
POULTRY SCIENCE, Journal Indexed in SCI Expanded, International, 1997, vol 76, pp 921-929
DOI: 10.1093/ps/76.7.921
Summary
Hot climate is a major Limiting factor of broiler production in tropical and subtropical regions. The use of standard stocks in hot climates may result in large economic losses because genotypes selected in temperate climates may respond differently to the high ambient temperatures in hot regions or seasons. The summer and fall in Izmir, Turkey, provided the natural hot and temperate climates, respectively, for this study. Broiler chicks were obtained from three commercial stocks, all bred in temperate climates. Male and female chicks, 60 per pen, were housed in four pens per stock per season. Individual BW was determined at hatch, and at 4 and 7 wk of age. Feed consumption and efficiency were determined per pen. Feathering was scored at 4, 5, and 6 wk of age. Body temperature was measured twice on three birds per sex per pen, 16 h and immediately before slaughter, and feather weight was determined for each of these birds.