A trial was carried out to evaluate the influence of improved housing conditions for broilers kept on litter on productivity, carcass and meat quality traits. A total of 33,000 Ross 508 female broiler chickens were divided into two groups Welfare (WLF) and Standard (STD) and reared under different stocking density (14 vs. 19 birds/sq m), litter (wood shaving) amount (3.5 vs. 2.5 kg/sq m) and light:dark regimen (18:6 vs. 23:1). Birds were slaughtered at 40 or 50 d of age. Environmental temperature and humidity as well as litter moisture did not change between the two housing conditions. WLF birds reached a higher body weight but had a slight worse feed efficiency, whereas no differences were found in carcass traits. Breast meat quality evaluation showed higher moisture content and poorer water holding capacity in WLF birds.
Improving welfare conditions of broiler chicken in Italy. Effects on performances, carcass and meat quality
MELUZZI, ADELE;SIRRI, FEDERICO;PETRACCI, MASSIMILIANO;FRANCHINI, ACHILLE;
2004
Abstract
A trial was carried out to evaluate the influence of improved housing conditions for broilers kept on litter on productivity, carcass and meat quality traits. A total of 33,000 Ross 508 female broiler chickens were divided into two groups Welfare (WLF) and Standard (STD) and reared under different stocking density (14 vs. 19 birds/sq m), litter (wood shaving) amount (3.5 vs. 2.5 kg/sq m) and light:dark regimen (18:6 vs. 23:1). Birds were slaughtered at 40 or 50 d of age. Environmental temperature and humidity as well as litter moisture did not change between the two housing conditions. WLF birds reached a higher body weight but had a slight worse feed efficiency, whereas no differences were found in carcass traits. Breast meat quality evaluation showed higher moisture content and poorer water holding capacity in WLF birds.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
