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Genetic-economic aspects of feed efficiency in laying hens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2007

D.K. Flock
D.K. Flock
Affiliation:
Lohmann Tierzucht GmbH, P.O. Box 460, 27454 Cuxhaven, Germany
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Abstract

Many decades of selection for increased egg output per bird and for efficient feed conversion have resulted in stocks capable of remarkable levels of performance. In the search for new ways to achieve further improvements in egg production efficiency, residual feed intake is seen as a parameter that merits the serious attention of breeders. This review examines relevant research relating to feed conversion efficiency since 1972 – including some results obtained by the author from commercial populations – and offers guidelines on the ways in which datd on individual feed intake could be applied within modern selection programmes.

Keywords

Breeding programmesegg productionfeed conversion efficiencylaying fowlresidual feed conversionselection
Type
Research Article
Information
World's Poultry Science Journal , Volume 54 , Issue 3 , September 1998 , pp. 225 - 239
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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