Modeling of Body Weight and Component Parts Changes in Broiler Chicken Raised to Maturity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to model the change in weight and major component parts of broiler chicken using three growth models (Gompertz, Logistics and Richard). A total of two hundred and seventy Abor acre strains of broilers were distributed into two experimental groups of male and female with 135 birds each. The birds were raised on deep litter system for 126 days and weighed individually on weekly basis. Three birds from each group of male and female were dissected bi-weekly to compare growth performance and major component parts using the three nonlinear models. The percent deviation of estimated weight and actual weights were computed. The results showed that Gompertz model gave the least deviation of live body weight and weights of component parts. Logistics and Richard’s model underestimated and overestimated live body weights and weights of component part at all phases of growth respectively. Coefficient of determination R2 (%) recorded for the three growth functions ranged from 93%-98%, giving a good fit for both male and female body weight and component part. Maturation rates (k) were variable but Richard’s gave the best estimate of this parameter. The findings in this study suggest that more than one growth model is required to effectively describe the growth of body weight and component parts of broiler chickens.