LIMITS TO GENETIC-IMPROVEMENT OF BROILER STOCKS

The hypothetical question whether a selection plateau limits further i mprovement of broiler performance may be relevant if one considers onl y the age at a fixed final weight. However, genetic improvement involv es an increasing number of traits, and no limit is in sight for the to tal merit including feed efficiency, carcass value and constitutional criteria. To benefit from the increasing genetic potential for efficie nt growth, traditional production systems should be supported by a com bination of specific lighting programs, modern feeder and drinker equi pment and computerized environment control. Between extreme demands fr om the animal welfare side and economic arguments from the producers' side, the overall goal must be to keep the efficiency of broiler produ ction competitive and to make the product achievble to a growing perce ntage of the world population.