Performance and carcass yield of four broiler strains raised in Goias, Brazil

An experiment was carried out in the Abatedouro Sao Salvador, Goias, Brazil, in order to evaluate the performance and carcass characteristics of four different broiler strains. The performance and carcass characteristics of Ross, Cobb, Avian Farms and Arbor Acres chickens were measured until 41, 44 and 48 days of age and the carcass parameters were measured at 41 and 44 days of age. Broilers were allotted in an randomized block design in a 4x2 factorial scheme (strains x sex) with four replicates of 63 birds each. It was observed better productive parameters and heavier body and carcass weight for male broilers than females, although no effect of sex occurred in carcass yield. Ross birds showed heavier body weight and higher cumulative weight gain at 44 days of age, but this was not observed in the other phases tested. There were no differences in commercial parts yield and carcass characteristics among the different strains.