The difference between breeder and farmer is found in the descriptions in English and lies mainly in the activity performed:
– Breeder (breeding breeder) refers to one who is involved in the selection, breeding, and genetic improvement of animals or plants. For example, a breeder (breeder) of dogs, horses, chickens selects the best specimens for specific breed characteristics or rather hybridization characteristics that may affect both phenotype and genotype.
– Farmer (general farmer or rancher), on the other hand, is a figure that can include both those who cultivate fields to produce grains, fruits and vegetables and those who raise animals for the production of meat, milk, eggs, etc.
So, every breeder is a type of farmer, but not every farmer is a breeder!
In more detail:
The activity of a breeder can influence both the genotype (the genetic information) and the phenotype (the physical and behavioral characteristics) of the bred organisms.
Genetic modifications
The selection made by the breeder favors certain genes over others through selective mating. For example, if a breeder chooses only animals with a certain pigmentation for breeding, over time he will increase the frequency of those genes in the population.
Phenotypic changes
Genetic changes result in visible changes in the phenotype: coat color, size, body shape, but also behavioral aspects (docility, resistance, etc.). In addition, environment and care affect the phenotype: even two individuals with the same genetic makeup can develop differences when raised under different conditions.
In summary, a breeder guides the artificial evolution of a species by selecting desired characteristics and promoting their transmission over time.
The selection of broilers and laying hens follows different criteria to maximize productivity in each case.
Here is an overview of the selection processes:
Broilers (broilers)
The main goal is to achieve rapid growth and high muscle mass, particularly in the chest and thighs. The process involves:
Genetic selection: genetic lines with the fastest growth and best feed conversion index (how many kilograms of feed are needed to get one kilogram of meat) are crossed.
Endurance and health: in addition to fast growth, the focus is on reducing bone and joint problems common in fast-growing chickens.
Behavior: docility is preferred to facilitate management on intensive farms.
Laying hens
Here the goal is to maximize egg production with less feed consumption. The process includes:
Productivity selection: specimens that lay more eggs per year, with strong shells and good internal quality are favored.
Longevity and health: the best genetic lines ensure a long productive life without excessive declines in laying.
Behavior: less aggressive and more social hens are preferred to reduce stress and promote breeding harmonization.
These breeding programs are conducted by specialized companies, which continuously improve breed characteristics with increasingly advanced techniques, including through genetic analysis.
Does the selection that a breeder conducts generate both genetic and phenotypic changes?
Of course
A breeder‘s activity can influence both the genotype (the genetic information) and phenotype (the physical and behavioral characteristics) of the bred organisms.
https://nutriamocidibuonsenso.it/feno-o-geno/
https://moreaboutchicken.com/pheno-or-geno/
Genetic modifications
The selection made by the breeder favors certain genes over others through selective mating. For example, if a breeder chooses only animals with a certain pigmentation for breeding, over time he will increase the frequency of those genes in the population.
Phenotypic changes
Genetic changes result in visible changes in the phenotype: coat color, size, body shape, but also behavioral aspects (docility, resistance, etc.). In addition, environment and care affect the phenotype: even two individuals with the same genetic makeup can develop differences when raised under different conditions.
In summary, a breeder guides the artificial evolution of a species by selecting desired characteristics and promoting their transmission over time.
The selection process of broilers and laying hens
It is important to clearly define what it means to make selection to enable “artificial” evolution.
Artificial in this case does not mean anything unnatural.
https://nutriamocidibuonsenso.it/la-biodiversita-nulla-e-piu-come-un-attimo-fa/
https://moreaboutchicken.com/biodiversity-nothing-is-the-same-as-it-was-a-moment-ago/
Artificial selection is understood as the timely and accelerated observation of the selection of animals that are more efficient than others under the same conditions in terms of robustness, growth, health, etc.
The selection of broilers and laying hens follows different criteria to maximize productivity in each case. Here is an overview of the selection processes:
Broilers (broilers)
The main goal is to achieve rapid growth and high muscle mass, particularly in the chest and thighs. The process involves:
- Genetic selection: genetic lines with the fastest growth and best feed conversion index (how many kilograms of feed are needed to get one kilogram of meat) are crossed.
- Endurance and health: in addition to fast growth, the focus is on reducing bone and joint problems common in fast-growing chickens.
- Behavior: docility is preferred to facilitate management on intensive farms.
Laying hens
Here the goal is to maximize egg production with less feed consumption. The process includes:
- Productivity selection: specimens that lay more eggs per year, with strong shells and good internal quality are favored.
- Longevity and health: the best genetic lines ensure a long productive life without excessive declines in laying.
- Behavior: less aggressive and more social hens are preferred to reduce stress and promote breeding harmonization.
These breeding programs are conducted by specialized companies (e.g., Aviagen, Cobb, …) that continuously improve breed characteristics with increasingly advanced techniques, including through genetic analysis.
The raising of broilers and laying hens is a complex industry, with many aspects to consider: from feeding techniques to farm living conditions to ethical and environmental implications.
Let us explore various aspects of poultry farming in even more detail:
- Living conditions on intensive vs. organic farms.
- The nutritional aspects of meat and eggs
- The environmental impact of poultry production
- Alternatives to traditional farming systems
Let’s delve deeper.
Living conditions on intensive farms compared to organic farms
Intensive farms house thousands of chickens or hens in controlled environments, with feed optimized to minimize production costs. As the animals grow, the space available to them decreases, but it must be kept in mind that we raise broilers for our tables, and when the space in which they grow appears to be reduced at that very moment we proceed to send the animals to slaughter.
Organic farms, on the other hand, provide more space and in some cases even access to the outdoors, with a different diet and with the assurance that any use of antibiotics for illnesses occurring will exclude that farm from the definition of “organic” bringing it under the classification of “conventional.” In both cases, in the infrequent case of the need for treatment by antibiotic the rules require the farmer to comply with the “withdrawal period” that allows the animals, before being slaughtered, to dispose of the antibiotic without it leaving any trace in the meat. However, organic production is slower, which is why there is a tendency to describe that type of farming as providing superior animal welfare. In reality it is simply a longer “life” period before slaughter. Other considerations often made by animal rights activists and activists are suggestive, but they leave time to be found.
Nutritional aspects of meat and eggs
– Chicken meat is a lean source of protein, with low fat content compared to other red meats. However, differences between intensive and organic farming can affect the nutrient content.
– Eggs are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals (B12, D, iron). Free-range laying hens tend to produce eggs with a different nutritional profile due to a more varied diet.
Environmental impact of poultry production
Chicken and egg production has a smaller impact than beef in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. However:
– Intensive livestock farms, due to the high number of animals raised, consume large amounts of water and feed.
– The biological system has lower environmental impact but lower productivity.
– Waste management and the use of antibiotics can create ecological problems.
Alternatives to traditional farming systems
Innovative solutions are emerging in recent years:
– Lab-grown meat, which avoids animal farming and reduces environmental impact.
– Regenerative farming systems, with chickens raised in rotation with crops to improve soil fertility.
– Conscious consumption, choosing products from sustainable and certified farms.
There are several leading companies worldwide in the genetic selection of broilers and laying hens. Here are some of the most important ones:
Hy-Line International
It is one of the oldest companies in poultry genetics and a leader in the selection of laying hens. Founded in 1936, it pioneered the application of hybridization to improve egg production.
Aviagen
It runs genetic selection programs for broilers and turkeys. The company works to improve sustainability and animal welfare by selecting traits such as hardiness, heart health, and meat quality.
Cobb-Vantress
It is one of the leading companies in the genetic selection of broiler chickens. Founded in 1916, it is one of the oldest companies in the industry and focuses on creating genetic lines with high feed efficiency, rapid growth and meat quality.
Cobb, along with Aviagen and other companies, are key players in the global poultry genetics market.
These companies continuously invest in research and development to improve the genetic characteristics of animals, ensuring greater production efficiency and better quality of poultry products.
Let us now compare Cobb-Vantress, Aviagen and Hy-Line International, three of the leading genetic selection companies in the poultry industry:
Cobb-Vantress
– Specializing in the genetic selection of broiler chickens.
– Famous for the Cobb 500 line, which offers high feed efficiency and rapid growth.
– Part of the Tyson Foods Group, one of the giants of the meat industry.
– Focus on sustainability and genetic innovation to improve meat quality and disease resistance.
Aviagen
– Works in the genetic selection of broilers and turkeys.
– Check out brands such as Ross, Arbor Acres, and Indian River, which are popular on industrial farms.
– Significant investment in genetic research to improve animal robustness and health.
– A leader in global poultry genetics, with a strong presence in Europe and North America.
Hy-Line International
– Specializing in the genetic selection of laying hens.
– It offers several genetic lines, including Hy-Line Brown and Hy-Line W-36, optimized for egg production.
– Pioneer in the application of genetic hybridization to improve productivity and resistance of hens.
– Focus on shell quality, longevity, and disease resistance.
