INFLUENCE OF STOCKING DENSITY AS A FACTOR OF PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY ON THE BODY CONFORMATION OF BROILER CHICKENS

Our aim was to examine the influence of stocking density on the conformation in live broilers of Cobb provenance. A total of 120 chickens of Cobb 500 provenance are divided into three groups with 40 animals each (two experimental and one control group). At the end of the first week of feeding, 20 chickens were sampled and marked by random sampling. Chickens from the first experimental group (P1) represented the group with lower population of stocking density (12 chicks/m 2 ), chickens from the second experimental group (P2) represented the group of chickens with a higher population of stocking density (18 chicks/m 2 ), while the stocking density of the control group (K) chickens was in line with technological recommendations (15 chicks /m 2 ). During the experiment, marked chickens were monitored and measured for the chest circumference, drumstick circumference, length of keel (Crista sterni), breast depth and breast angle on a weekly basis. Measures conformations were taken in live chickens in hanging position with the use of appropriate instruments: millimeter measuring tape, caliper and protractor ZP-3. The results were statistically analyzed, statistically significant differences were noted, and correlation coefficient was determined. The longest circumference and depth of chest, drumstick circumference, and keel length were observed in the control group of chickens by the end of the experiment. The differences in comparison with the experimental groups were not statistically significant. The results indicate that compliance with the production technology can result in better production indicators and other factors including the success of intensive poultry production. Key words: stocking density, conformation, live broiler, Cobb provenance