Chapter 5 - Experimental divergent selection on abdominal fat in broilers — parental female and male type lines and their crosses

Abstract

This chapter discusses experimental divergent selection on abdominal fat in broilers performed between parental female and male type lines and their crosses. Excessive fat deposition in broilers is widely recognized as one of the industry's primary problems. Abdominal fat has been regarded as the main source of waste, although several other adipose tissues cannot be ignored. Because abdominal fat is highly correlated with these tissues and with total carcass lipids, it is used as the main criterion of excessive fat deposition in broilers. A selection program on abdominal fat was initiated in Israel in 1980. Based on studies with a White Rock commercial stock, selection for low abdominal fat was expected to reduce fat deposition and increase meat yield of broilers. This chapter also discusses the genetic aspects and their implications to experimental selection and practical breeding against fat deposition.