The limits of genetic potential

Laying hens and broilers have enjoyed great leaps in performance over the decades in which large-scale genetic selection has taken place – but where are the limits? It may not be biological, as Poultry World discovers Future breeding programmes for poultry may have to take a more holistic approach that considers bird welfare and environmental concerns, in addition to improved performance, a leading geneticist has warned. While limits to physiological selection do not appear to be close, the n