EFFECTS OF SEX AND AGE ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BROILER MEAT

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of age and sex on the chemical composition of broiler chicken meat. A total of 60 Cobb broiler birds (30 males and 30 females) were arranged in a 3x2 factorial design with 3 levels of age at slaughter (6, 8 and 10 weeks) and sex (male and female) in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The chemical composition observed were fat, protein, ash, moisture, carbohydrate and fibre. In male, moisture content was significantly lowest at 10^th week while no significant difference was observed at all ages for female. Age had no significant effect on ash contents for both sexes. At age 10^th week, the fat content for male was significantly lowest while no significant level was observed for female at all ages. Protein content of male meat was significantly highest at 10^th week while that of the female was significantly highest at 6^th week. The carbohydrate content of male meat was significantly lowest at 10^th week while that of the female was significantly lowest at 6^th week. It can be concluded that sex and age had effect on the chemical composition of broiler chicken meat. It is therefore recommended that male should be slaughtered at older age of 10^th week while female at 6^th week respectively when the crude protein levels are at the highest percentages.