Selection strategies for limiting the increase in ascites while increasing growth in broilers

Abstract

The objective of the current study was to compare the changes in a fitness trait when selection is performed for 5, 10, and 20 generations on a production trait that influenced its expression. Responses to single-trait selection for growth based on phenotype or animal model predictions were compared by computer simulation. Two-trait index selection was performed when a trait, related to the fitness trait, was included in the index with the production trait. The phenotypic expression of the fitness trait among the sibs was also considered as a selection factor for single-trait and two-trait index selection. For a fixed increase in the expression of the fitness trait, mass selection produced a larger increase in the production trait than did use of standard animal model best linear unbiased prediction under single-trait selection. The reduction in the genotypic mean of the fitness trait was accompanied by an increase in its phenotypic expression. The use of sib information and an indicator trait reduced the level of expression reached by the fitness trait.