The Fattening Performance and Meat Quality of Male Layer Hybrids in Free-Range System
Project no. 873 · Status: Kapanmış · 2017
Summary
The aim of this study was to compare the performance, slaughter characteristics and meat quality of male layer hybrids with male and female slow-growing broilers, in a free-range system. The study was carried out with 160 (80 males +80 females) slow-growing broilers (Hubbard Red JA- SGM and SGF) and 80 brown egg-type males (Hy Line Brown-BLM). The body weight and feed consumption of BLM group were significantly lower than that of the SGM and SGF groups (P<0.05). Also, SGM and SGF groups utilized from feed better than BLM group during 63 days trial period (P<0.05). While the highest carcass and breast yields and abdominal fat ratio were found in the SGM and SGF groups, the highest leg yield was determined in the BLM group (P <0.05). Dry matter and crude protein levels of breast meat obtained from BLM group increased significantly compared to SGM and SGF groups (P <0.05). It was observed that L* value in the BLM group and a* value in the SGM and SGF groups rose significantly (P<0.05). In BLM group, while thaw and cooking losses decreased, water holding capacity and pH increased (P<0.05). The values of cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess and chewiness in breast meat rose significantly in the KEY group. Sensory characteristics, except smell, did not differ significantly between genotypes. Keywords: male layer, growth performance, meat quality, free-range system