FOUR INSTRUMENTS FOR MEASURING POULTRY BODY DIMENSIONS

Abstract

Four instruments to measure certain body dimensions of live meat birds are described. They are: a combined breast angle and breast height (or body depth) meter, a keel length, shank length or alternatively a breast width caliper, a shank circumference gauge, and a breast width caliper. These instruments were designed for use in a research program studying genetic methods of improving broiler meat production and were found convenient to use. Linear demensions can be read to the nearest 1.0 mm and estimated to the nearest 0.5 mm, whereas breast angle can be read to the nearest degree and estimated to the nearest 0.5 degree. Key words: Body, dimensions, measurement, broiler, poultry, instruments, carcass