Maximizing yield

Primary Breeder Division, Perdue Farms, Inc., Salisbury, Maryland 21802, USA.

Genetic selection for edible meat yield will intensify as a result of market demands. Phenotypic selection in larger populations using nondestructive lean tissue estimation, more progeny and sibling carcass measurement, inclusion of female lines, and marker assisted selection will provide the means. Transgenics and genetic engineering will be used at the rate consumers accept them. As the kill age of birds decreases and edible meat yield increases, correlated concerns will include meat quality, bird immunocompetence, behavior, and reproduction. Higher yielding birds will be more difficult to manage.