Effects of strain x sex interaction on carcass traits and meat quality of three strains of commercial meat-type chicken

Abstract

A total number of 288 day-old broilers of Arbor Acre, Hubbard and Marshal were randomly allocated to four treatments of 96 chicks each, with each treatment having three replicates of 8 birds comprising the sexes each with the aim of ranking the commercial meat-type strains as well as their sexes based on their carcass evaluation at 56 days of age. The traits considered were live weight, dressed weight, slaughter weight, eviscerated weight, breast weight, back weight, thigh + drumstick, wing weight, head and neck. Other traits measured were intestine, proventriculus + gizzard, liver and heart. Parameters on sensory values evaluated were Aroma, colour, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, texture, saltiness and overall acceptance. The obtained results indicated significant (P<0.01) effect of sex on the carcass parameters. Male broilers recorded higher mean values (2558.33g) of live weight, slaughter weight, dressed weight and other carcass traits than its female counterpart. Also, there was significant (P<0.01) effect of strain x sex interaction on live weight and slaughter weight. Males of Arbor Acre had the highest mean value (2650 g) of live weight, while the females of all the strains recorded lower values. In addition, there was no significant (P>0.05) effect of sex on Aroma and flavor at 8 weeks, while other sensory values recorded favored male birds of all strains. The obtained results indicated that most carcass traits are strain and sex dependent. Also, the results revealed that males of Arbor Acre and Hubbard strains gave greater chicken proportions than Marshall Broiler. Therefore, males of Arbor Acre and Hubbard broiler strains could be raised for maximum profit and increase animal proteins consumption.

Keywords: Trait, strain, interaction, effect and sex