Differences between spent hens of different genotype in performance, meat yield and suitability of the meat for sausage production

ISSN:1751-7311ISSN:1751-732

Growth, carcass, and meat quality of 2 dual-purpose chickens and a layer hybrid grown for 67 or 84 D compared with slow-growing broilers

To avoid chick culling, meat production can be carried out with either dual-purpose hybrids, where both genders are used, or layer males. However, comparative in-depth studies are lacking. The growth and slaughter performance and the meat quality of 2 commercial dual-purpose hybrids (Lohmann Dual, LD; Novogen Dual, ND) and a layer hybrid (Lohmann Brown, LB) were compared with slow-growing broilers (Hubbard S757, HU), as used for organic production. The growth periods tested were 67, 84, and 126 D (the LB only). A total of 1,350 birds per hybrid were kept in 5 compartments of 20 m2. In a subsample, the carcass and meat quality were analyzed. The average daily gains and feed intake were quite similar in the ND, LD, and HU and were lower in the LB. Across 67 D, the FCR (kg feed/kg gain) of the HU was 2.62 compared with 2.81 and 2.83 in the ND and LD, respectively. The FCR of the LB was much lower (3.61). The breast angle, an indicator of the keel bone’s prominence, was largest in the HU, similar to that of the ND and the LD, and smallest in the LB. The breast meat proportions were always larger in the HU than in the ND and the LD at 21, 18, and 17%, respectively, and smallest in the LB (15%). The breast meat from the dual-purpose hybrids was similar, or slightly superior, to the HU in water-holding capacity and shear force and slightly inferior in intramuscular fat content. The LB meat did not differ much from that of the other hybrids. Growth for 126 D improved the carcass quality in the LB. In conclusion, both dual-purpose hybrids were competitive with slow-growing broilers, whereas this was not the case for the layer cockerels

Carcass and meat quality of dual-purpose chickens (Lohmann Dual, Belgian Malines, Schweizerhuhn) in comparison to broiler and layer chicken types

Currently, there is an intensive ethical discussion about the practice of culling day-old layer cockerels. One solution to avoid this practice could be using dual-purpose types, where males are fattened for meat and females used for egg production. The aim of the present study was to compare fattening performance, carcass conformation, and composition as well as meat quality of Lohmann Dual, a novel dual-purpose type, and 2 traditional dual-purpose types (Belgian Malines and Schweizerhuhn) with 2 broiler types and 1 layer type (Lohmann Brown Plus). Broilers included a conventional line (Ross PM3) and a slower-growing line (Sasso 51) fulfilling requirements of organic farming. Nine birds of each type were fed on a conventional broiler diet. Feed intake and metabolizability of nitrogen and energy were recorded per pen (n = 3), the latter through excreta sampling. For each bird, carcass conformation was assessed, and weights of body, carcass, breast meat, legs, wings, and inner organs were determined. Additionally, breast angle, an indicator for carcass appeal, and skin color were recorded. Meat quality assessment included determinations of thaw and cooking loss, shear force, meat color, and proximate composition of the breast meat. None of the dualpurpose types (20 to 30 g ADG) performed as well in growth as the intensively growing broiler line (68 g ADG). However, Lohmann Dual could compete with the slower-growing broiler line (slower growth but better feed efficiency, similar in carcass weight and breast proportion). Also breast angle was quite similar between Lohmann Dual (100◦) and the extensive broiler type (115◦C) compared to the intensive broiler line (180◦). Meat quality was most favorable in the intensive broilers with the smallest shear force and thawing loss, whereas meat quality was not different between the other types. The Schweizerhuhn performed only at the level of the layer hybrid, and the Belgian Malines was ranked only lightly better