Hubbard Flex Broiler: Growth Standards & Alternative Meat Strains
Technical manual covering Hubbard Flex broiler performance, slow/medium growth systems, and robust carcass yield.
Scientific Overview
The Hubbard Flex is a robust commercial meat broiler strain bred by Hubbard (an Aviagen Group company). Selected for outstanding livability, strong leg health, and consistent carcass yield under challenging climate housing conditions, the Hubbard Flex is widely used in warm tropical regions and alternative slow/medium growth production systems.
Hubbard Flex Overview & Breeding Concept
The Hubbard Flex is defined as a commercial meat chicken strain bred for overall economic balance, combining low chick mortality, structural leg strength, and flexible feed performance in warm climates.
Unlike hyper-fast strains that require strict climate-controlled housing, the Hubbard Flex displays high environmental resilience, making it a preferred choice for open-sided houses in tropical countries.
Growth Rate & Robust Liveability Benchmarks
Hubbard Flex broilers reach a 2.4 kg market weight at 38–42 days of age with a cumulative FCR of 1.55–1.68. The slightly more moderate early growth rate results in significantly lower incidence of leg defects (TD), ascites, and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) under heat stress.
Calculate overall flock performance using our EPEF Calculator.
Alternative & Slow-Growing Poultry Strains
Hubbard is also the global leader in slow-growing and specialty colored broiler lines (e.g., Hubbard Redbro, JA57) designed for Label Rouge (France), EU welfare standards, and free-range meat production where birds are grown to 56–84 days of age for superior meat texture and flavor.
All scientific data, diagnostic criteria, and performance benchmarks presented on this page are derived from published peer-reviewed journals and official veterinary codes:
- Avian Pathology & Diagnostics: World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH, 2023). Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. Paris, France.
- Poultry Diseases & Histology: Swayne, D.E., et al. (2020). Diseases of Poultry (14th ed.). Wiley-Blackwell / American Association of Avian Pathologists.
- Nutrition & Feed Chemistry: Leeson, S. & Summers, J.D. (2001). Commercial Poultry Nutrition (3rd ed.). University Books, Guelph, Ontario.
- Commercial Breed Standards: Aviagen (2024). Ross 308 & Cobb 500 Broiler Performance Objectives. / Lohmann Breeders (2024). Lohmann Brown Management Guide.