Journal ID : AMA-15-02-2026-13773
[This article belongs to Volume - 57, Issue - 02]
Total View : 419

Title : Influence of Rearing systems on Carcass characteristics of F3 crossbred chicken at 12 and 40 weeks of Age

Abstract :

The newly developed synthetic chicken variety has been evolved through the crosses of Native, PB2 and Dahlem Red (F3) chicken. This cross was developed at the Poultry Demonstration and Experimental Unit (PDEU) of the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anjora, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India. An experimental investigation was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics of this crossbred population at two physiological stages, namely 12 and 40 weeks of age, under three distinct management systems: intensive, semi-intensive, and backyard rearing conditions. For carcass trait assessment, a total of six birds from each rearing system were randomly selected, comprising an equal sex ratio of three males and three females. At 12 weeks of age, birds reared under the intensive system exhibited significantly (p<0.01) higher pre-slaughter live weight and defeathered weight compared to semi-intensive and extensive systems. Among carcass cut-up parts, back, breast, wing, thigh, drumstick, and neck weights were significantly higher in intensively reared birds, followed by semi-intensive birds, while the lowest values were recorded under the extensive system. Edible organ weights such as liver and heart were also significantly higher in intensive birds; however, gizzard weight was significantly higher in birds reared under the extensive system. At 40 weeks of age, a similar trend was observed, with intensive and semi-intensive systems recording significantly higher pre-slaughter live weight, defeathered weight, and carcass cut-up part yields compared to the extensive system. Thigh, drumstick, and neck weights were significantly influenced by rearing systems, showing higher values under intensive management. Among edible organs, liver weight did not differ significantly among systems, whereas heart and gizzard weights were significantly higher in intensive birds. Overall, the study indicated that intensive rearing significantly improved carcass yield and cut-up part weights at both ages, while extensive rearing promoted greater gizzard development. These findings suggest that rearing system plays a crucial role in determining carcass quality of crossbred chickens and should be carefully considered to optimize meat production efficiency.

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