ABSTRACT
This research work, carried out in the poultry unit of the Teaching and Research Farm of the Delta State University, Asaba Campus, was designed to assess the carcass traits and adipose tissue fat deposit of four strains of broilers (Abro, Abor Acre, Ross and Marshall), using body weight measurements and ether extraction. Two hundred (200) birds at 50 birds per strain were housed in the deep litter system, and fed with commercial diets and water ad-libitum for 8 weeks. Data on body weight, dressed carcass weight, carcass characteristics and adipose tissue fat deposit were collected from 20 birds at five birds per strain, which were randomly selected. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mean separation treatment in line with standard statistical practices. Results indicate that Abor Acre recorded the highest body weight (2.25±0.18), followed by Marshall (2.16±0.0), Ross (2.03±0.10), and Abro (1.89±0.09) with attendant carcass equivalents in that order at 8 weeks of age. The Marshall strain (0.46%) ranked second (but statistically equal) to the Ross (0.44%) in giving the leanest fat tissue deposit. Based upon these findings, it was suggested that the Marshall strain should be adopted for rearing by farmers for improving broiler chicken production in live weight, carcass weight and low fat deposit traits to finishing age (8 weeeks), for good economic returns, while the Ross should be sought by breeders to generate specialized lines with lean meat for safer health benefits of consumers. |
