Modelling the biological aspects of broiler breeding: integrated and non-integrated systems

The objective of present study was to derive the economic values for important traits in broiler breeding program and to specify their sensitivity to production circumstances, using a deterministic bio-economic model, reflecting an integrated or non-integrated broiler chicken’s production system. Model focuses on multiplier breeder, hatchery, commercial grower and processor stages. The estimated economic values ranged from -0.2035 to 0.2318 for both integrated and non-integrated systems. The estimated economic values based on non-integrated system were higher than those of integrated system except for hatching egg number (0.0009 vs. 0.0014), mortality (-0.0078 vs. -0.0068) and wings yield (0.0206 vs. 0.0158). In integrated situation, the effect of changes in the mean of hatching egg number, finishing weight and mortality on the economic values of traits was examined. The results showed that hatching egg number did not affect the economic values of traits at the preceding stages. On the other hand, changes in traits at the commercial grower, namely finishing weight and mortality affected the economic values of traits at both commercial grower and processor stages. The results of sensitivity analysis (± 20%) showed that traits at the multiplier and hatchery stages were sensitive to changes in feed costs at rearing and laying periods and also changes in the price of parental stock chicks, but the traits relating to commercial stage did not show any sensitivity to these factors. Among different factors, feed cost in commercial stage had the most impact on economic values of finishing weight, feed consumption and mortality