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The hidden life of broiler chickens: Why do they reach slaughter weight in just a few weeks?
Of all meat products, broiler chicken is probably one of the most common sources of meat. These broiler chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) are raised specifically for the table and reach slaughter weight in as little as four to six weeks. However, the biological characteristics and breeding technology behind this are not limited to a simple breeding process, but involve many links, including feeding environment, feed selection, and biological characteristics.
Modern commercial broilers, such as carnation chickens and carnation vultures, are artificially selected and bred by grafting to achieve large-scale and efficient meat production.
The evolution of modern breeding
Before 1916, broiler chickens on the market were mainly young male chickens taken from farms. As demand increased, the breeding industry began selective breeding of chickens. In the 1930s, the first cross-breeding experiments involved mating male Carnation chickens with female White Plymouth Rock chickens, resulting in fast-growing chicks.
Although early cross-breeding faced problems of low fecundity and disease susceptibility, as time went by and breeding technology improved, the growth rate and production efficiency of modern broilers increased significantly.
Advantages of artificial insemination
As production needs change, artificial insemination technology further optimizes the breeding process. In broiler breeds, increased growth rates often lead to mating difficulties for male chickens. Through artificial insemination, farmers can selectively introduce excellent genes, increasing genetic diversity and quality.
Biological characteristics and behavior
Commercial broiler chickens often exhibit impressive growth rates, typically reaching a weight of 2 kg in 5 to 7 weeks. This process has a significant impact on the behavioral and physiological characteristics of broilers, causing them to behave more like immature chicks. The behavior of broiler chickens is also affected by the breeding environment, and the richness of the external environment has a direct impact on their activity levels.
Broiler chickens raised in the suburbs initially had higher activity levels, but as they grew older, their activity levels plummeted, possibly because the burden on the body led to weakness in the limbs.
Feeding and Nutritional Conversion
Broilers are omnivores and their diet usually consists of high-protein feed, delivered through automated feeding systems. By combining light and other environmental factors, the appetite and growth rate of broilers are increased, allowing these broilers to gain weight quickly.
According to a 2011 report, in the United States, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens has improved from 4.70 in 1925 to 1.91, which shows the advancement of breeding technology.
New Zealand commercial broiler farms set the best record in the world with an FCR of 1.38, showing the impact of good feeding management and technology application on the growth of broiler chickens.
Animal welfare challenges
Although the growth rate of broiler chickens has been greatly improved, this has also brought considerable animal welfare issues. Rapid growth can lead to metabolic diseases and bone problems that limit mobility. Research shows that many broiler chickens also face high mortality challenges during catching, packaging and transportation.
Selective breeding accelerates the speed at which broilers reach slaughter weight, but it also leads to disorders of their body functions.
Global production and consumption trends
As global demand for meat increases, commercial production in the broiler industry has evolved into a highly intensive process. The report pointed out that the EU produces about 5.9 billion broiler chickens every year, while globally, the total broiler chicken production in 2004 was close to 47 billion, showing the general importance of broiler chickens in food consumption.
As demand grows in Asia, broiler consumption has surpassed beef, indicating that future consumption trends may continue to grow.
Therefore, the production of broiler chickens is not only an achievement of technology and science, but also a challenge to animal welfare, environmental impact and future food demand. Can we find a balanced solution among these conflicting demands?
