Animal Science and Food Technology

Contemporary trends in broiler meat production in North America: A literature review

Viktoriia Melnyk, Nataliia Prokopenko, Svitlana Bazyvoliak
Download article
Abstract

Global broiler meat production is increasing at a faster rate than any other type of meat. The United States is the largest producer of broiler meat worldwide. In 2022, the USA, together with Canada and Mexico, accounted for 20% of the total global broiler meat production. This study aimed to analyse and summarise the literature on contemporary trends in broiler chicken production technologies in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The study employed methods of analysis, synthesis, and content analysis. It was found that among the North American countries, the USA ranks first in both the number of chickens and broiler meat production. Globally, in 2022, the total chicken population was 26,561,634.0 thousand birds. China held the first position (5,185,477.0 thousand birds), with the USA in fifth place (1,528,000.0 thousand birds), Mexico in eighth (611,202.0 thousand birds), and Canada in 29th (173,942.0 thousand birds). In the global rankings of broiler meat producers in 2022, the USA was first, Mexico seventh, and Canada 22nd. A consistent increase in broiler meat production was observed in North American countries over the period 2018-2022. In 2022, the USA produced 20,652,970.91 tonnes of broiler meat, Canada 1,332,967.57 tonnes, and Mexico 3,668,552.28 tonnes. The leading producers of meat products in the USA and across North America are Tyson Foods, Cargill, and Bell & Evans. The most common broiler breeds used in North American poultry farming are Cobb and Ross. A comparative analysis of the performance of the Cobb-500 and Cobb-700 breeds indicated that Cobb-500 broilers outperform in terms of live weight. Overall, Cobb-700 broilers exhibit slower growth rates, with a production cycle extending up to 63 days. The predominant production method involves raising broilers on litter-based floor systems. Researchers from South American universities are conducting various studies that address contemporary challenges in meat poultry production. These studies focus on issues such as housing, feeding, welfare, health, and carcass quality of broilers

Keywords

USA; Canada; Mexico; chickens meat; cross; live weight; feeding

Suggested citation
Melnyk, V., Prokopenko, N., & Bazyvoliak, S. (2024). Contemporary trends in broiler meat production in North America: A literature review. Animal Science and Food Technology, 15(4), 102-119. https://doi.org/10.31548/animal.4.2024.102
References

[1] Aderibigbe, A., Cowieson, A., Sorbara, J.O., & Adeola, O. (2020). Intestinal starch and energy digestibility in broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with α-amylase. Poultry Science, 99(11), 5907-5914. doi: 1016/j.psj.2020.08.036.

[2] Al Hakeem, W.G., Fathima, S., Shanmugasundaram, R., & Selvaraj, R.K. (2022). Campylobacter jejuni in poultry: Pathogenesis and control strategies. Microorganisms, 10(11), article number 2134. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10112134.

[3] Aloui, L., Greene, E.S., Tabler, T., Lassiter, K., Thompson, K., Bottje, W.G., Orlowski, S., & Dridi, S. (2024). Effect of heat stress on the hypothalamic expression profile of water homeostasis-associated genes in low- and high-water efficient chicken lines. Physiological Reports, 12(5), article number e15972. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15972.

[4] Anderson, M.G., Campbell, A.M., Crump, A., Arnott, G., & Jacobs, L. (2021). Environmental complexity positively impacts affective states of broiler chickens. Scientific Reports, 11, article number 16966. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-95280-4.

[5] Baldi, G., Yen C.-N., Daughtry, M.R., Bodmer, J., Bowker, B.C., Zhuang, H., Petracci, M., & Gerrard, D.E. (2020). Exploring the factors contributing to the high ultimate pH of broiler pectoralis major muscles affected by wooden breast condition. Frontiers in Physiology, 11, article number 343. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00343.

[6] Barbut, S. (2019). Recent myopathies in broiler’s breast meat fillets. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 75(4), 559-582. doi: 10.1017/S0043933919000436.

[7] Bean-Hodgins, L., & Kiarie, E.G. (2021). Mandated restrictions on the use of medically important antibiotics in broiler chicken production in Canada: Implications, emerging challenges, and opportunities for bolstering gastrointestinal function and health – a review. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 101(4), 602-629. doi: 10.1139/cjas-2021-0015.

[8] Beets, S.D. (2019). Business ethics in the broiler industry. Business and Society Review, 124(2), 239-260. doi: 10.1111/basr.12170.

[9] Bell & Evans. (n.d.). Our farms. Retrieved from http://surl.li/vtpamq.

[10] Bell & Evans. (n.d.). Timeline. Retrieved from http://surl.li/pjdrmd.

[11] Berkhout, N. (2021). Poultry remains as popular as ever in Mexico. Poultry World. Retrieved from https://www.poultryworld.net/poultry/poultry-remains-as-popular-as-ever-in-mexico/.

[12] Canada’s chicken industry at a glance. (2024). The official website of the Government of Canada. Retrieved from http://surl.li/asgigw.

[13] Cargill. (2022). Timeline 1865 – present. Retrieved from http://surl.li/nhwjxa.

[14] Cargill annual report. (2022). Retrieved from http://surl.li/blsmmr.

[15] Cargill. (2024). Elevatorist. Retrieved from https://elevatorist.com/kompanii/152-cargill.

[16] Chan, I., Franks, B., & Hayek, M.N. (2022). The ‘sustainability gap’ of US broiler chicken production: Trade-offs between welfare, land use and consumption. Royal Society Open Science, 9(6), article number 210478. doi: 10.1098/rsos.210478.

[17] Che, S., Wang, C., Varga, C., Barbut, S., & Susta, L. (2022). Prevalence of breast muscle myopathies (spaghetti meat, woody breast, white striping) and associated risk factors in broiler chickens from Ontario Canada. PLoS ONE, 17, article number e0267019. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267019.

[18] Christensen, K. (2020). Leading the way in animal welfare though the Tyson Foods broiler research farm. Retrieved from https://thefeed.blog/2020/09/30/animal-welfare-broiler-research-farm/.

[19] Cobb 500 broiler performance & nutrition supplement. (2022). Retrieved from http://surl.li/ttfxzf.

[20] Cobb 700 broiler performance & nutrition supplement. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.cobb-vantress.com/assets/Cobb-Files/c7c812114a/Cobb700_Broiler_Supplement.pdf.

[21] Dixon, B., Kilonzo-Nthenge, A., Nzomo, M., Bhogoju, S., & Nahashon, S. (2022). Evaluation of selected bacteria and yeast for probiotic potential in poultry production. Microorganisms, 10(4), article number 676. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms1004067.

[22] Estévez-Moreno, L.X., & Miranda-de la Lama, G.C. (2022). Meat consumption and consumer attitudes in México: Can persistence lead to change? Meat Science, 193, article number 108943. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2022.108943.

[23] FAOSTAT. (2024). Crops and livestock products. Retrieved from https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL.

[24] Fathima, S., Shanmugasundaram, R., Sifri, M., & Selvaraj, R. (2023). Yeasts and yeast-based products in poultry nutrition. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32(2), article number 100345. doi: 10.1016/j.japr.2023.100345.

[25] Good for Canada. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.chickenfarmers.ca/good-for-canada/.

[26] Hein, T. (2024). US poultry industry projections, state ban on cultivated chicken, new funding, lice findings. Poultry World. Retrieved from http://surl.li/hvamvg.

[27] Jespersen, J.C., de Paula Dorigam, J.C., Whelan, R., Dilger, A.C., Oelschlager, M.L., Sommer, K.M., Gorenz, B.E., White R.R., & Dilger, R.N. (2024). Defining optimal dietary starch, oil, and amino acid inclusion levels for broilers experiencing a coccidiosis challenge. Poultry Science, 103(2), article number 103335. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103335.

[28] Jordan, M. (2020). Canada, Mexico remain key to poultry industry success. WATTPoultry. Retrieved from http://surl.li/ovfdff.

[29] Lee, J., & Mienaltowski, M.J. (2023). Broiler white striping: A review of its etiology, effects on production, and mitigation efforts. Poultry, 2(2), 292-304. doi: 10.3390/poultry2020022.

[30] Li, G., Zhao, Y., Purswell, J.L., Du, Q., Chesser, G.D., & Lowe, J.W. (2020). Analysis of feeding and drinking behaviors of group-reared broilers via image processing. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 175, article number 105596. doi: 10.1016/j.compag.2020.105596.

[31] Marel. (2021). Air chilling growth in North America. A chilling tunnel offers better flavor, tenderness and traceability with less labor needed. Retrieved from http://surl.li/gejxza.

[32] Mcdougal, T. (2022). Poultry set to take nearly half of the global meat market by 2031. Poultry World. Retrieved from http://surl.li/vhrsbk.

[33] Mexico’s role in the global poultry industry. (2022). Zootecnica International. Retrieved from https://zootecnicainternational.com/focus-on/mexicos-role-in-the-global-poultry-industry/.

[34] Myers, A.G., & Rochell, S.J. (2024). Effects of starter diet energy concentration on nutrient digestibility and subsequent growth performance and meat yields of broilers under two coccidiosis control programs. Animals, 14(11), article number 1524. doi: 10.3390/ani14111524.

[35] Ontario investing in new poultry research centre. (2023). Canadian Poultry Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpoultrymag.com/ontario-investing-in-new-poultry-research-centre/.

[36] Orellana, L., Krehling, J., Chasteen, K., Quino, M., Guardado, C., Munoz, L., Adhikkari, Y., Escobar, C., Bailey, M., & Macklin, K. (2023). Impact of eggshell translucency and color intensity on egg quality parameters, moisture loss, and chick weight. In Abstracts 2023 International poultry scientific forum. Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia World Congress Center.

[37] Ornelas-Eusebio, E., García-Espinosa, G., Laroucau, K., & Zanella, G. (2020). Characterization of commercial poultry farms in Mexico: Towards a better understanding of biosecurity practices and antibiotic usage patterns. PLoS One, 15(12), article number e0242354. doi: 10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0242354.

[38] Pantoja, L., & Gonzalez, O. (2020). Intestinal health and pigmentation of broiler chickens. The Poultry Site. Retrieved from http://surl.li/qxwogr.

[39] Pescatore, A., Fisher, T., Jacob, J., & Ford, M.S. (2019). The potential impact of slow growth broilers on the resources and infra structure of the poultry industry. Retrieved from https://midwestpoultry.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Pescatore-Tony-MPF-2019.pdf.

[40] Purswell, J.L., Olanrewaju, H.A., & Zhao, Y. (2021). Effect of feeder space on live performance and processing yields of broiler chickens reared to 56 days of age1. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 30(3), article number 100175. doi: 10.1016/j.japr.2021.100175.

[41] Regmi, P. (2024). Stocking density and broiler behavior. Modern Poultry. Retrieved from https://modernpoultry.media/stocking-density-and-broiler-behavior/?mp=1735037223226.

[42] Sammari, H., Askri, A., Benahmed, S., Saucier, L., & Alnahhas, N. (2023). A survey of broiler breast meat quality in the retail market of Quebec. Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 103, 298-311. doi: 10.1139/cjas-2023-0001.

[43] Sgavioli, S., Santos, E.T., Domingues, C.H.F., Castiblanco, D.M.C., Rodrigues, P.H.M., Zeferino, C.P., Almeida, A.R., & Boleli, I.C. (2023). Broiler behavior: Influence of thermal stress, age, and period of the day. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 52, article number e20200239. doi: 10.37496/rbz5220200239.

[44] Shynkaruk, T., Long, K., LeBlanc, C., & Schwean-Lardner, K. (2023). Impact of stocking density on the welfare and productivity of broiler chickens reared to 34 d of age. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 32(2), article number 100344. doi: 10.1016/j.japr.2023.100344.

[45] Siegel, P.B. (2023). Broiler genetics and the future outlook. Frontiers in Physiology, 14, article number 1150620. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1150620.

[46] Smith, J. (2019). Broiler production without antibiotics: United States field perspectives. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 250, 93-98. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2018.04.027.

[47] Thornton, T., Zhao, Y., Tabler, T., Burns, R., & Hawkins, S. (2023). Current perceptions, use, and needs of precision livestock farming systems. In Abstracts 2023 International poultry scientific forum. Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia World Congress Center.

[48] Tsementzis, A., Maina, A., De Cloet, C., Trott, D., Huber, L.-A., & Kiarie, E. (2023). Comparative impact of incorporation of specialty protein feedstuffs and antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken starter feeding program on growth erformance through to 49 days of age. In Abstracts 2023 International poultry scientific forum. Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia World Congress Center.

[49] Tyson Foods. (n.d.). Our core values. Retrieved from https://www.tysonfoods.com/who-weare/our-story/purpose-values.

[50] Tyson Foods. (n.d.). Our history. Retrieved from http://surl.li/nxofza.

[51] Unveren, H., & Luckstead, J. (2020). Comprehensive broiler supply chain model with vertical and horizontal linkages: Impact of US-China trade war and USMCA. Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, 52, 368-384. doi: 10.1017/aae.2020.5.

[52] Urtecho-Novelo, R., Sarmiento-Franco, L.A., Guillermo-Cordero, J.L., Aranda-Cirerol, F.J., Sandoval-Castro, C.A., Santos-Ricalde, R.H., Segura-Correa, J.C., & Gutierrez-Ruiz, E.J. (2021). Effect of outdoor access on ethological behavior, health and performance of broilers in the tropical mexican conditions. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 25(1), article number 3708. doi: 10.56369/tsaes.3708.

[53] Ventura, D., Almendares, C., Kriseldi, R., Corzo, A., Adhikari, R., Lee, J., Williams, C., Starkey, C., & Starkey, J. (2023). Interactive effects of dietary isoleucine and valine ratios to lysine in response to varying leucine to lysine ratios on jejunal protein expression in commercial broilers. In Abstracts 2023 International poultry scientific forum. Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia World Congress Center.

[54] Widowski, T.M., & Rentsch, A. (2022). Farming poultry. In Routledge handbook of animal welfare (pp. 47-63). London: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003182351-7.

[55] Zhou, S., Watcharaanantapong, P., Yang, X., Thornton, T., Gan, H., Tabler, T., Prado, M., & Zhao, Y. (2024). Evaluating broiler welfare and behavior as affected by growth rate and stocking density. Poultry Science, 103(4), article number 103459. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103459.