Abstract
The aim of this work was to examine the possibility of using different poultry breeds for meat production in extensive systems, concerning their slaughter traits. Total of 200 birds of two genotypes were used in this trial: fast-growing hybrid Ross 308 and pure breed White Rock. Chicks were raised indoors until the age of 4 weeks and subsequently they were enabled to access the range. The trial lasted for 13 weeks. At the end of the trial, 10 male and 10 female chicks per breed were sacrificed for the evaluation of slaughter traits - dressing percentage, yield and share of carcass parts. It was established that both genotype and sex significantly affected carcass traits while genotype affected production traits. Chickens of the Ross 308 hybrid had higher body weights, better feed conversion ratio and higher mortality rate. Chickens of the Ross 308 hybrid had dressing percentage compared to the White Rock breed, while the male chickens had higher dressing percentage compared to the female ones. Chickens of the Ross 308 hybrid had a significantly larger weight and share of breast meat, whereas those of the White Rock breed had a larger share of drumsticks and thighs. A significant influence of the genotype was determined on the amount of abdominal fat in the carcass. Chickens of the White Rock breed had a significantly lower fat content compared to the Ross 308 hybrid, which essentially makes them the genotype which is more suitable for the extensive fattening longer than 10 weeks.
Highlights
Intensive production of poultry meat has led to a significant improvements of the production characteristics, and to the deterioration of poultry welfare and meat quality
The results showed a significant influence of genotype on production traits of birds
For all the examined parameters, the female chickens had significantly lower weight compared to the male ones, while the White Rock chickens had significantly lower weight compared to the Ross 308 hybrid
Summary
Intensive production of poultry meat has led to a significant improvements of the production characteristics, and to the deterioration of poultry welfare and meat quality This has further lead to the revitalization of the alternative systems which implies raising chickens on a free range during longer periods of time. Poultry meat from these systems seems to be more acceptable for the consumers, because the food safety and quality have become crucial for them (Rodić et al, 2006; Bogosavljević-Bošković et al.,2012). The key factor which affects the production and slaughter traits of broilers is the genotype (Berri et al, 2005) It is quite questionable whether the fastgrowing hybrids are suitable for raising in alternative systems because they are exposed to greater challenges, concerning their health (Muhammad et al, 2017). The available data for Serbia shows that over 65% of the total meat production originate from highly productive meat type hybrids (Milošević et al, 2005)
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