Original scientific paper
FATTENING TRAITS AND MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ROSS 308 AND COBB 500 CHICKENS
Gordana Kralik
; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J.Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Zoran Škrtić
; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J.Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Zlata Maltar
; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J.Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Danica Hanžek
; Poljoprivredni fakultet Sveučilišta J.J.Strossmayera u Osijeku, Osijek, Hrvatska
Abstract
Research into fattening traits and meat quality was carried out on 120 Ross 308 and Cobb 500 chicken hybrids, with the aim to determine effects of genetic basis and gender, as well as their interaction. Statistically highly significant (P<0.01) effect of chicken gender on their weights was determined on the 28th, 35th and 42nd day of fattening. Over the whole research period in each week of fattening no effect (P>0.05) of chicken hybrids was determined on live weights. At a statistical significance level of P<0.001, male chickens had heavier carcasses, breasts, thighs with drumsticks, wings and backs than female chickens. In comparison to females, statistically significantly (P<0.05) higher portion of thighs and drumsticks in carcass was determined in male chickens. Female chickens had significantly higher (P<0.05) portion of skin with subcutaneous fatty tissue in carcass than male chickens. Ross 308 chickens had significantly (P<0.05) higher portion of breasts in carcass than Cobb 500 chickens. Higher value of pH1 measured within 45 minutes post slaughtering (P<0.01), as well as higher values of pH2 and electric conductivity measured 24 hours post slaughtering (P<0.01) were determined in breast muscles of male carcasses. Cobb 500 chickens had statistically significantly lower (P<0.05) pH2 value than Ross 308 chickens. It was established statistically highly significant effect (P<0.001) of chicken hybrids on the measured L* values, while chicken gender statistically significantly (P<0.05) affected the *a and *b values.
Keywords
chickens; hybrids; gender; fattening traits; meat quality
Hrčak ID:
26501
URI
Publication date:
30.4.2007.
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