Genetic-economic evaluation of traits in a broiler enterprise: the relative genetic-economic values.

Selection for growth rate and food utilisation (assuming annual genetic gains of 3 and 1.5% respectively) have about the same economic value and account for 94.3% of the annual potential economic savings in the production costs of an integrated broiler enterprise. Selection for more hatching eggs (annual genetic gain of 1.7 eggs) accounts for only 4.2% and selection for fertility, hatchability and reduced mortality have a value of less than 1% each. The introduction of the dwarf gene (dw) has a questionable economic value. Even if growth rate and fertility are not reduced by using dwarf females, the economic importance will equal no more than two generations of selection for growth rate. As egg production increases, the relative economic value of growth rate and food utilisation will increase, while the advantage of using dwarf females will decrease. Both body weight and body fat content (which are correlated with food utilisation) are moderately heritable and if body fat can be measured reliably in live birds, this may aid breeding for economic advantage.