Growth and slaughtering performance, carcase fleshiness and meat quality according to the plumage colour in Padovana male chickens slaughtered at 18 weeks of age

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to investigate on the growth and meat quality of Padovana male chickens with different plumage varieties, chamois (PC - light brown feathers with white edge), silver (PS - white feathers with black edge), and their cross. The body weight of PC during the growth period was higher (p < .01) than PS, and it was 1.7 and 1.5 kg, respectively, at 126 d of age. At slaughter, PC showed higher weight of carcase (p < .05), breast and total fleshiness (breast, wings and legs) (p < .01), and thigh meat:bone ratio (p < .05). PS showed higher shanks weight on carcase weight (p < .01), Ilio tibialis a* value (p < .01), water losses (p < .01) and shear force (p < .05) in breast meat than PC. Crossing PC males to PS females gave birds with white (Cross-W) and silver (Cross-S) plumage (3:1 ratio, respectively). The offspring genotypes showed similar body weight, and almost all slaughtering, carcase and meat quality traits studied. Cross-W and Cross-S showed significantly higher final body weight, breast and leg weight, total fleshiness and thigh meat:bone ratio than PS. For the Padovana breed, the plumage colour can involve productive and slaughtering performance, and carcase and meat quality, throughout the growing period. At 18 weeks of age, the Padovana male chickens show body weight and carcase fleshiness similar to that of a hybrid laying hen belonging to a light strain.HighlightsPadovana is an historic Italian chicken breed with a slow growth rate; it is slaughtered broadly later than hybrid strains and it is important to know the age for achieving favourable slaughtering performance and good carcase quality.Padovana chicken breed has been selected in some plumage colours and the growth rate, slaughtering performance and carcase quality can significantly differ according to them.Crossing chickens with two different plumage colours can exert a positive heterosis effect on productive and carcase quality traits.