Growth Performance and Carcass Quality of Layer Type Cockerels and Broiler Chicken

The aim of the study was to compare the growth performance and carcass quality of layer-type cockerels and broilers reared under identical conditions. A total of 180 one-day-old broiler male (BM), broiler female (BF) and brown layer male (LM) chicks were distributed into 9 floor pens in a completely randomized design, with 3 replicates of 20 birds per experimental unit. The body weights and feed consumption was recorded at weekly intervals. Body weight gains and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. The carcass quality trait was determined at 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, 12^th and 16th weeks of age. There was a significant effect FCR (P 0.05) of genotype on body weight and feed intake. The BM and BF showed higher feed consumption and better feed conversion compared to LM for all growing stages (P 0.05). The LM had higher percentage of blood, feather, shank, head and internal organ compared to BM and BF (P 0.05). The BM and BF had significantly higher values for dressing percentage (P 0.05). The LM had least amount of subcutaneous fat in neck, subcutaneous fat in thigh and abdominal fat despite of slaughtering ages (P 0.05). Genotype had been shown to significantly influence on colour of pectoralis major and biceps femoris muscles. The LM had recorded highest L* for both muscle at 8^th week of slaughtering age (P 0.05). The BM and BF had significantly higher a* coordinates for pectoralis major compare to LM (P 0.05). Moreover, LM had least shear force value (P 0.05). These results suggest that layer males are acceptable for an alternative system of meat production from the aspect of carcass and meat characteristics.