Ross-strain roosters are genetically inferior breeders, say
industry people in the United States.
They say that is exacerbating a shortage of chicken in a
U.S. market that is facing beef and pork shortages and high prices.
The breed, Aviagen Group’s standard Ross male, is sire
through its offspring for up to 25 per cent of the North American chickens,
according to Marla Robinson of Aviagen.
Sanderson Farms, the third-largest U.S. poultry producer
and one of Aviagen’s largest customers, said it and Aviagen systematically
ruled out other possible causes for a decline in fertility before determining a
genetic issue was at the root of the problem.
The issue is hitting an industry that is already
suffering from a short supply of breeder birds.
The U.S. Agriculture Department last month reduced its
U.S. chicken production forecast for 2014, predicting only a one per cent
increase in poundage from 2013, well below the long-run annual average of four
per cent. The agency predicted 2015 production would be up by only 2.6 per
cent.
