Meat quality characteristics of chickens raised organically and intensively

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate selected physical and chemical characteristics of the breast muscles of organically and intensively raised chickens. The parameters determined are important to consumers in assessing meat quality. The experimental material consisted of crossbred chickens obtained from crossing a white broiler cock from Ross 308 parent stock with a brown dual-purpose Rhode Island Red R-66 hen (group E) and Ross 308 commercial crossbred broiler hens (group K). Chickens from group E were reared over 84 days in accordance with the requirements of organic farming, while the group K chickens were reared conventionally over 42 days. The results indicate differences in post mortem changes in the breast muscles of the organically and intensively raised chickens. The muscles of broiler chickens from organic farming were characterized by good nutritional value (1.73 pp more protein and 0.46 pp less fat) and a darker colour (L* 49.65), which may be a desirable feature for many consumers. However, the high pH24 level of the breast muscles of organic chickens indicates that the meat may be susceptible to microbiological contamination and can only be stored for a short period. Furthermore, it requires a greater shear force (54.12 N raw and 46.66 N cooked), which may indicate that the meat needs to be cooked longer.