As a genetics company, Cobb selectively breeds and maintains pure genetic lines of broiler breeders, each line having unique traits.
Cobb has a number of pure lines that are used in 2-way and 4-way crosses to produce parent stock and broiler products, respectively. Our genetic crosses are designed to produce high-quality birds with excellent welfare traits and industry leading performance.
Cobb’s mission is to improve the health, efficiency, and performance of broiler lines through advanced research and innovation. At the heart of Cobb’s work is a robust selection process that identifies and enhances desirable traits such as health, egg production, feed efficiency, meat yield, and welfare. This process is supported by cutting-edge genetic tools, data analytics, and rigorous field trials that ensure each generation of birds meets the evolving needs of producers and consumers.
Cobb operates pure line complexes and dedicated research farms where breeding programs are carefully designed and monitored. These facilities conduct controlled testing of genetic lines, nutritional strategies, and environmental conditions. The data collected feeds directly into the company’s R&D efforts, helping refine breeding decisions and product development.
Data Backed Decisions
In 2024, the world’s broiler production was estimated at 61.1 billion pounds (live weight). These broilers have been supplied through a pyramid-shaped production pipeline with elite breeding genetics at the top. Given parent stock and broilers are grown around the world, the house environments, nutrition formulation, and house design can vary considerably among locations and producers. Despite these complexities, the industry has been very successful in producing breeding stock that performs well in many different global environments.
As part of the selection process, Cobb harnesses methods and tools for big-data that allow us to use the vast quantities of data collected across the production pipeline and from global environments. In addition to phenotypic data, pedigree information, and genomic data, performance metrics like growth rate, feed efficiency, meat yield, and overall bird health and welfare are available to make selection decisions. The challenge is to appropriately link these big data analyses to selection decisions on individual breeding birds at the top of the pyramid.
Testing and Trialing
Cobb invests significantly in research and development to enhance the selection process from existing lines and explore future potential traits. This is achieved using advanced tools and techniques, many of which are non-invasive. A portion of research and development takes place at Cobb’s pure line complexes, while internal trials also play a critical role.
Trial testing ensures Cobb’s strategic goals are aligned with breeding decisions, product development, and commercial benchmarking to better understand product performance in real-world conditions. The three main objectives of these trials—breeding program, product development, and commercial benchmarking—each require tailored trial designs. Internal performance data, combined with external product performance, is essential for monitoring how Cobb products perform across diverse environments. This data informs the R&D department and supports technical managers in delivering effective customer service.
The trials team within Cobb’s R&D department is responsible for organizing and executing data research from pedigree complexes. All collected data is statistically analyzed and shared with R&D and senior management to guide planning and future genetic selection.
Breeder Research
Dedicated breeder research farms are used to generate offspring for broiler trials. These facilities include rearing areas with communal nests and automated egg collection while maintaining pen-specific data. Metrics such as mortality, egg weights, and bird weights are tracked, with each pen managed as a separate breeder flock. This structure enhances the reliability of the data, which is then fed back into the R&D data system.
Some breeder trial facilities are designed in collaboration with industry technology partners to develop innovative data collection methods and live bird monitoring systems. These partnerships help integrate cutting-edge technology into Cobb’s breeding programs and expand the knowledge of genetic lines.
New breeder trial facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology allow testing of various line crosses, light schedules, nutritional trials, and other management components. These facilities also include laboratories for detailed sample collection and analysis as well as presentation areas for customer training on breeder-related topics.
Broiler Research
Broiler research is conducted at multiple locations, each tailored to specific trial requirements. Some facilities are designed for high-replicate studies with smaller pens, ideal for nutritional research. Feed is weighed for each pen which makes it possible to calculate feed conversion accurately for the different growing periods, as well as final feed conversion numbers. At depletion, samples can be taken for manual yield evaluation.
Other facilities feature larger pens suitable for product testing, with capabilities to monitor water intake, weight gain, and welfare assessments. To simulate practical field conditions, Cobb also operates commercial-style broiler houses equipped with automated feeding, watering, and weighing systems. These designs support large group trials with market-standard bird densities and conditions, enabling in-depth analysis of feed and water intake, mortality, and veterinary assessments.
Additionally, Cobb has a separate research unit focused on developing alternative breeds to meet specific customer and specialty market needs. This research emphasizes market trends rather than global application.
External Research
Through the Cobb Research Initiative (CRI), Cobb actively collaborates with universities, research institutes, and independent research stations around the world to advance genetic science and innovation in poultry breeding. These partnerships focus on expanding scientific knowledge, evaluating new technology, developing new selection techniques, and validating product performance across diverse environments. By working closely with external experts, Cobb enhances its breeding programs with cutting-edge insights and technologies, ensuring its broiler lines continue to meet evolving customer needs and industry standards.
Cobb also works with independent research stations to conduct breed comparisons across market regions. This external research complements internal trials by providing field-condition data that feeds back into the breeding program for more accurate selection decisions.
Conclusions
Cobb’s commitment to research and development is a driving force behind its leadership in poultry genetics. By combining rigorous internal trials, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge technology, Cobb continues to refine its breeding programs and deliver solutions that meet the evolving needs of the global poultry industry. With a focus on innovation and data-driven decision-making, Cobb’s R&D efforts continuously drive genetic improvement.