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Effect of Strains and Age at Slaughter on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Cockerels and Estimation of Carcass Characteristics of Cockerel from Physical Characteristics

M. R. Islam
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh

Q.M.E. Huque
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh

S. Faruque
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh

M. P. Mostari
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of four strains of male layer chicks (cockerels) at three different ages on growth performance, feed efficiency and dressing percentage under identical feeding and management condition. Four strains of day old cockerel chicks namely, Hyline, BV 300, Starcross 579 and Hisex were collected from local hatcheries. Each of the strain consisted of 60 birds that were grouped randomly into 5 blocks where each of the block contained 4 birds. Total weight gain, daily gain, feed intake and water intake increased gradually and significantly (p<0.001) with the increase in age, but feed conversion was similar (p>0.05) at all ages. Live weight was positively related to breast meat (y = 0.0041x + 7.201, R² = 0.42), and abdominal fat (y = 0.0008x – 0.45, R² = 0.37) indicating that for every g increase in live weight, corresponding breast meat and abdominal fat increase by 0.004 and 0.0008g. Age at slaughter also positively related to abdominal fat (y = 0.101x – 0.666, R² = 0.41) indicates that the abdominal fat increases at the rate of 0.1% of live weight per week.

Keywords: Cockerel, Strain, Slaughter age, Carcass characteristics, Relationship

Location: Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka 1341, Bangladesh

Start Date: 01-06-2003

End Date: 30-05-2004

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Chicken

Objectives:

1. To investigate the effect of strain and age at slaughter on the performance of commercial male layer hybrids and to know their carcass characteristics under similar management condition in order to identify the best male layer strain which grows most and in a cost effective way.

2. A further objective was to investigate the relationship between physical characteristics such as length of different parts of body, liveweight, age at slaughter and carcass characteristics of commercial male layer strains.

Methodology:

Birds and treatments

Two hundred and forty day-old male layer chicks of four strains were collected from local hatcheries by taking 60 chicks from each strain. Each strain was randomly allocated into 5 blocks by taking 4 chicks in each block. Four different strains used in the trial were BV300, Hyline brown, Starcross 579 and Hisex brown. Each of the strain was slaughtered at 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age. The treatments were therefore arranged in a 4 (strain) x 3 (age at slaughter) factorial experiment with 5 blocks.

Housing, feeding and management

A low cost bamboo made house was used for this trial. Day-old-chicks were bought from local hatcheries and allowed to take glucose water for the first three days. Proper care and management and a standard diet was provided throughout the experimental periods. Brooding was done by using bulbs to manipulate smallholder farmers practice. This was managed from the first day by fitting 60 and 100 watts electric bulb in the pen that remained 12-14 cm above floor and then heat was decreased gradually by lifting up the bulb as per requirement of the temperature. Although the experiment was conducted during summer, the ambient temperature was low due to heavy rainfall at the beginning of the experiment. So, heat was provided to chicks up to 3 weeks and no heat was provided thereafter. Lighting was provided for 24 hours for the first 3 weeks and then from 1800h to 0600h for the rest of the days. One feeder and one round waterer were provided in each block. Feeding and drinking space were provided as required. Feeders were cleaned and waterer were washed daily. A concentrate mixture that contains 20.5% CP, 2906 Kcal ME/ kg DM and water was provided twice daily in the morning and evening. Refusals of feed and water were measured everyday in the morning. Birds were vaccinated against Newcastle and Gumboro diseases. Health status of birds was monitored everyday.

Performance data recording

Initial body weight of day old male chicks was recorded immediately before the start of the trial and then weekly thereafter. All birds were weighed individually, before morning feeding and offering of water. Feed intake including left over was recorded daily and was calculated from the difference between offer and left over.

Slaughtering, morphological and carcass characteristics

Each strain of cockerel was slaughtered at 6, 8 and 10 weeks of age but only 2 birds per block out of 4 were slaughtered. Birds were slaughtered following ‘halal’ method by severing the jugular vein and allowed to bled completely and then plucked and weighed to determine blood and feather losses and recorded all necessary data.

Data analysis

All data were analyzed by 4 x 3 factorial with 5 blocks using the procedure of SPSS 10 for Windows. Means compared for significant differences using Duncans Multiple Range Test. Correlation and regression analysis were done.

Source of Information: BLRI. Annual Research Review Workshop, 2003-04. BLRI, Savar, Dhaka.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Both strain of male chicks and their age at slaughter must be taken into consideration for cockerel production. Maximum feed conversion efficiency and lowest abdominal fat obtained from cockerel at 6 weeks of age. Therefore, cockerel rearing at the age of 6 weeks of age seems profitable. Liveweight, age at slaughter and morphological characteristics could be used as cheap and valuable tool to estimate carcass characteristics of cockerel particularly at areas where modern facilities are not available.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings