Effects of a semi-intensive raising system on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of broiler chicks

The present study was carried out to compare the growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens reared in semi-intensive and conventional systems (Ross 308, n=120). Chickens were raised in a pen on wooden shavings for 21 days. On day 21 of age, chicks were assigned to 2 treatments (indoor treatment and semi-intensive treatment). The experiment was conducted at until 6 weeks of age. Production system has a significant effect on wing (P<0.05) and heart weight (P<0.01), but has no any effect on final body weight, hot or cold carcass weight, thigh, breast, back and neck, gizzard, liver and abdominal fat weights (P>0.05). The final body weight, hot and cold carcass weight, thigh, wings and heart weights were affected by sex of birds (p<0.05) while breast, back, liver, gizzard and abdominal fat were not affected by sex (P>0.05). The nutrient level of carcass parts was not influenced by production system or sex (P>0.05). In our study, breast of birds reared under semi-intensive system had significantly lower 'L' (P<0.05), higher 'a' statistically different (P<0.01); while 'b' value was significantly (P<0.01) higher in skin of semi-intensive reared birds.