Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Organically Reared Broiler Chickens Depending on Sex.

Dorota Cygan-Szczegielniak,Joanna Bogucka

doi:10.3390/ani11113274

Abstract

Simple SummaryConsumers are increasingly interested in the health and nutritional aspects of meat products, with the result that they are willing to pay more for meat products that have been produced naturally, taking into account high standards and animal welfare. Therefore, we decided to examine in a slightly wider perspective the muscles of Ross 308 chickens kept in an ecological system, taking into consideration an additional factor, i.e., sex. As sexual dimorphism is considered to be a factor in meat quality, we decided to examine this factor in our study. At the same time, we investigated the suitability of these fast-feathering broilers for ecological production. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of sex on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profile and histological traits of the pectoral muscles in organic Ross 308 broiler chickens. The suitability of these fast-growing broilers for organic production systems was also analyzed. As expected, the study confirmed the influence of sex on the analyzed parameters of the pectoral muscles in chickens reared in the organic system.Given the growing interest of consumers in naturally produced meat, we decided to examine the muscles of Ross 308 broiler chickens kept in an ecological system, with the division into two research groups depending on sex. All the analyses were carried out using the appropriate methods recommended by the AOAC and in accordance with the Polish standards (PN), which are described in detail in the relevant section of the publication. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of sex on the growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality, as well as the fatty acid profile and histological parameters, of the pectoral muscles from organic broiler chickens. A total of 60 one-day-old Ross 308 chickens (half males and half females) were divided into two groups, according to the sex, and reared under organic conditions (Org.) until 82 days of age (ten birds, i.e., five males and five females in each of three pens; replications for experimental groups). Compared with the female group, the male group had a higher final BW and carcass weight (p < 0.05). The males had a better growth and slaughter performance than the females. The meat quality traits and fatty acids content were also affected by sex. The meat from females showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) protein, dry matter, fiber diameter and shear force and a significantly lower (p < 0.05) fat level than the male group. In this research, the suitability of these fast-growing broilers for natural and organic production systems has been researched with regard to the performance, meat quality and histological characteristics of the muscles.

Highlights

Introduction conditions of the Creative CommonsMeat products with high nutritional value and coming from organic systems with animal welfare in mind are becoming more and more popular among consumers
The high level of physical activity in the chickens managed in the organic system, compared to the results reported by other authors for intensive production systems, could be a reason why myogenesis is favored instead of lipogenesis [5,8], and this explains the obtained results
The results of the research confirm the hypothesis that sex is a factor influencing some of the characteristics related to the growth, carcass traits and quality of the meat of Ross 308 broiler chickens kept in an ecological system

Summary

Introduction

Meat products with high nutritional value and coming from organic systems with animal welfare in mind are becoming more and more popular among consumers. Consumers in the European Union are showing an increased interest in poultry from alternative management systems, i.e., free-range and organic, which has resulted in a 14% increase in the production of poultry reared in these conditions [2]. The animals should have free access to outdoor areas [4,5] It is a production system in which synthetic and chemical compounds are not used as feed components or to maintain the health of the chickens [1], and, importantly, it is environmentally friendly [6]. The existence of all these guidelines, related to the aspects of ecological chicken breeding, means that consumers are able to pay a higher price for products that have been produced naturally and present high nutritional value and quality [7,8]

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Conclusion