Degenerative myopathy of the Musculus supracoracoideus and production traits in strains of meat-type chickens.
The incidence of degenerative myopathy of the Musculus supracoracoideus (DMS) was calculated in 23 strains comprising 1868 meat-type chickens. Twenty strains were commercial parent stocks and three strains were experimental strains from Ottawa similar to commercial broiler stocks of some 15 to 20 years ago. In the commercial strains DMS incidence ranged from 0 to 43% in males and 0 to 22% in females at ages ranging from 49 to 68 weeks. The three experimental strains did not have DMS. Data from strains with DMS were analyzed for associations between DMS and each of a number of body size and egg production traits. The DMS-positive birds had a larger breast angle (P less than .05) measured at 6 weeks of age (93 vs. 89 degrees) and a larger body weight (P less than .01) at 52 weeks (3748 vs 3594 g) than DMS-free birds. No significant relationships with other body size or egg production traits were detected.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*