The Relationship between Performance, Body Composition, and Processing Yield in Broilers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Regression

Abstract

This study aims to model the relationship among performance, whole body composition, and processing yield through meta-regression. Scientific papers found in Scopus and Google Scholar were included if they reported results and variability values of an actual experiment in the three mentioned groups of variables using a single broiler genetic line. Weighted mean effect sizes were determined with a random model, the risk of bias was determined, and heterogeneity was considered an indicator of usefulness. Meta-regressions considered the effect sizes of the response variable and the percent change in one or more variables as predictors. A 78-row database was built from 14 papers, including nine factors tested on 22,256 broilers. No influencing bias was found, and the data was determined useful. Meta-regressions showed that the changes in body weight gain (BWG) are inversely related to the effects in feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.001) and that the changes in FCR and effects in protein-to-fat gain (PFG) are directly related (p < 0.001). The changes in PFG and the effects on carcass conformation or the market value of birds are directly related (p < 0.001). In conclusion, body composition predicts carcass conformation and its market value, supporting its use to predict the economic value of broilers.