The Ross 708 parent stock has been developed to maximize breeder performance without compromising the efficiency of meat production.

High meat yielding birds require emphasis to be placed on the improvement of key traits. As feed is the largest single cost component in the production of chicken meat, maintaining feed conversion efficiency is of paramount importance particularly where broilers are grown to heavy weights.

Where integrated poultry companies could previously maintain plant efficiencies through processing 'general purpose' birds (for sale as whole birds, cut up and some deboning) the increasing demand for boneless meat places greater emphasis on maximizing meat yield.