Effect of Some Management Factors on the Incidence of Breast Blisters in Heavy Broilers

Abstract

PRIMARILY because of improved production practices, there is a trend in the poultry industry toward marketing broiler-type birds at heavier body weights. Several years ago, Wisman et al. (1961) demonstrated that it was more economical, production-wise, to grow broilers of both sexes to 11 weeks of age than to 9 weeks of age before marketing. There is also a growing interest in the production of young roasters or broiler-type birds that are marketed beyond 11 weeks of age. Perhaps the greatest deterrent to the production of a heavier bird is the noticeable increase in the occurrence of breast blisters which results in a downgrading of the carcass.Many genetic, physiological and environmental factors thought to affect the occurrence of breast blisters have been previously investigated. Among the genetic and physiological factors, an increased incidence has been found with increasing age or body weight by Smith (1956), Winget et al. (1958),…