Growth and carcass characteristics of different crosses of broiler chickens reared under an alternative system (original) (raw)

2018, Semina: Ciências Agrárias

This study aimed to assess the effect of different breeds and crosses of broiler chickens and sex on growth, carcass characteristics, and tissue composition. The experimental design was a completely randomized design in a 6 × 2 factorial scheme, with six genotypes (New Hampshire – NHS, Jersey Black Giant – JBG, Rodhe Island Red – RIR, Indigenous Giant – IG, and the hybrids IG × NHS and IG × JBG) and two sexes (male and female). Each treatment was composed of five replications with three broiler chickens, totaling 180 broiler chickens. Zootechnical performance and growth were assessed through the Gompertz equation parameters. After slaughtering at 105 days, the characteristics of carcass and main cuts were determined by means of weight, yield, and proportion of tissue constituents (meat, bone, and skin). Regarding the Gompertz equation parameters, the genotype NHS presented a higher growth potential. Males presented higher live weight and carcass weights, except for IG. No difference...