Determination of Suitable Broiler Chicken Strain for Rearing in Poultry Farms of Ardabil Province Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) Techniques

Introduction: In the poultry industry, selecting optimal broiler strains is critical for maximizing productivity and
economic efficiency, particularly in cold regions like Ardabil, Iran. This study addresses the challenge of identifying
the most suitable broiler strains for Ardabil’s climatic conditions by employing multi-criteria decision-making
(MCDM) and statistical analysis. The research problem centres on evaluating broiler strains based on key performance
indicators (KPIs) such as average body weight, survivability, feed conversion ratio (FCR), growing period, and firstweek mortality. These factors are pivotal in determining the suitability of strains for cold climates, where
environmental stressors can significantly impact production outcomes. Previous studies, such as Hosseini et al.
(2014), demonstrated that Strain C outperformed others in most MCDM approaches, except for the maximin method,
highlighting the importance of tailored strain selection. Similarly, Wibowo and Honggowibowo (2014) emphasized
the role of decision support systems like the Exponential Comparison Method in optimizing farm location selection,
which complements strain selection in ensuring production success. Additionally, Gustian et al. (2019) underscored
the utility of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Fuzzy C-Means clustering for assessing chick quality, a critical
factor in early-stage broiler health. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and air quality, further influence
broiler performance, as suboptimal conditions can lead to significant losses (Maslic-Strizak et al., 2012). This study
aims to rank four commercial broiler strains—Ross 308, Cobb 500, A+, and Arian—based on their performance in
Ardabil, hypothesizing that strains with higher resilience and efficiency will outperform others. The research employs
a mixed methods approach, integrating expert opinions, statistical analysis, and MCDM techniques like ELECTRE to
provide a robust framework for decision-making, contributing to both theoretical advancements in poultry science
and practical applications for regional farmers.
Materials and Methods: This study utilized a mixed methods research design to evaluate four broiler strains (Ross
308, Cobb 500, A+, and Arian) for their suitability in Ardabil’s cold climate. Data were collected through surveys from
20 poultry industry experts in Ardabil, focusing on five KPIs: average body weight, survivability, FCR, growing period,
and first-week mortality. The research design combined quantitative data analysis with qualitative expert insights,
employing the AHP technique to assign weights to KPIs (e.g., 15 for body weight, 17 for survivability, 20 for FCR, 12
for growing period, and 14 for first-week mortality). Data collection occurred in Ardabil’s poultry farms between
March and June 2025, with participants providing informed consent. No payments were made to participants, and
ethical approval was obtained from the Ardabil Agricultural Research Ethics Committee (Code: AAREC-2025-003).
The ELECTRE algorithm was implemented in Python to rank strains based on normalized data, ensuring replicability.
Visualizations, including heatmaps, box plots, and radar charts, were generated to explore relationships and
distributions among KPIs.
Results and discussion: The analysis revealed distinct performance patterns among the four broiler strains. Ross
308 and A+ consistently outperformed Cobb 500 and Arian across most KPIs. Ross 308 achieved the highest average
body weight (2.8–3 kg) and survivability (92–95%), with a favorable FCR (1.78–2.1). A+ followed closely, with similar
body weight (2.8–2.95 kg) and slightly lower survivability (88–92%). Cobb 500 showed moderate performance, with
a survivability of 90–95% and an FCR of 0.097, while Arian had the lowest performance, particularly in survivability
(83–90%) and first-week mortality. The heatmap analysis indicated a strong correlation (0.63) between Arian and
first-week mortality, suggesting higher early losses, while Ross 308 showed the lowest correlation (0.43) with body
weight and first-week mortality, indicating stability. Box plots revealed that first-week mortality exhibited the highest
variability across strains, while FCR and growing period were relatively stable. The radar chart highlighted the
competitive advantage of Ross 308 and A+ in body weight and FCR, with Arian performing better in growing period
(42–45 days) but poorly in other metrics. The ELECTRE algorithm ranked Ross 308 and then, A+ as the top strains,
with final scores significantly higher than Cobb 500 and Arian. Effect sizes for body weight and survivability
differences were moderate (Cohen’s d = 0.5–0.7), with statistical significance (p < 0.05) for Ross 308 and A+ versus
Arian. These findings confirm the hypothesis that resilient and efficient strains like Ross 308 and A+ are better suited
for Ardabil’s conditions.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Ross 308 and then, A+ are the most suitable broiler strains for Ardabil’s
cold climate, driven by their superior performance in body weight, survivability, and FCR. These findings align with
prior research emphasizing the importance of strain-specific resilience in challenging environments. The results have
practical implications for Ardabil’s poultry farmers, enabling informed strain selection to enhance productivity and reduce losses. Theoretically, the study advances MCDM applications in poultry science, integrating AHP and ELECTRE
for robust decision-making. However, Arian’s poor performance, particularly in first-week mortality, suggests it may
be less viable for Ardabil unless management practices are optimized. Unresolved challenges include the need to
account for additional environmental factors, such as humidity and ventilation, in future studies. The findings
advocate for prioritizing Ross 308 and A+ in Ardabil’s poultry industry, with potential applications in similar cold
regions. Future research should explore additional strains and incorporate economic analyses to further refine
selection strategies.