The Effects of Different Breeding Methods on Fattening Performance and Parameters Related to Slaughter, Carcass and Some Meat Quality in Broiler Chickens

The present study was aimed at the comparison of floor-based growth (FBG) and caged-based growth (CBG) systems in broiler production for growth performance and parameters related to slaughter, carcass and meat quality. Ninety one-day-old male Ross-308 chicks constituted the material of the study. It was determined that, in Groups FBG and CBG, the differences between body weight and cumulative body weight values were statistically very significant (P<0.01). The final body weights measured at the end of the trial and the mean body weight gain values in Groups FBG and CBG were determined as 2530 g - 2046 g and 2389.16 g - 1904.77 g, respectively. The end-trial final feed conversion rates of Groups FBG and CBG were determined as 1.82 and 1.88, respectively, and it was ascertained that the difference between the values of the two groups was statistically insignificant (P>0.05). While the hot and cold dressing percentages and the neck, wing, drumstick and tail percentages did not statistically differ between Groups FBG and CBG (P>0.05), values pertaining to breast meat displayed significant differences (P<0.05). It was determined that the L*, b* and C* values pertaining to breast meat and the L*, a*, b* and C* values pertaining to chicken drumsticks displayed statistically significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.01) between the trial groups.