Masthähnchenlinien

Masthähnchenlinien, or broiler lines, are genetic lines of chickens bred specifically for meat production. They are developed to maximize rapid growth, high feed efficiency and large carcass yield, especially breast meat, while differing from lines selected for egg production or dual-purpose use. In modern commercial systems these lines are typically used in crossbreeding programs to combine favorable traits from distinct parent lines.

Typical characteristics include fast growth to market weight within about five to seven weeks, slaughter weights around two to over two and a half kilograms, and relatively high breast muscle proportion. They are selected for good feed conversion ratios, which means efficient conversion of consumed feed into body mass. The growth and fat distribution are also shaped to suit processing requirements, with ongoing attention to meat quality and uniformity. However, extreme growth rates can be associated with welfare and health challenges, such as leg problems or cardiopulmonary stress, which has driven efforts to improve welfare through management and, in some cases, slower-growing lines.

Breeding and industry structure: major poultry breeding companies develop and maintain multiple broiler lines, continuously improving traits like growth, carcass quality, robustness and disease resistance. Crossbreeding is common: fast-growing sire lines are mated with dam lines to produce uniform offspring with desirable performance. Selection targets can include viability, litter quality, and adaptability to commercial housing and feeding regimes.

Welfare and system variation: while standard broiler lines dominate conventional production, slower-growing lines and alternative strains are used in some welfare-oriented or alternative production systems, such as free-range or organic operations. Ongoing research aims to balance productivity with animal health and welfare.