Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Raised on Dual and Triple Phase Feeding Regimes

Abstract

Dual phase and triple phase feeding regimes were assessed with respect to carcass and organ parameters of broilers, as well as proximate analysis of its meat. The dual phase feeding regimes T₁ (28 days starter mash, 28 days finisher mash), T₂ (35 days starter mash, 21 days finisher mash), T₃ (21 days starter mash, 35 days finisher mash) and two triple phase feeding regimes T₄ (7 days starter mash, 14 days grower mash, 35 days finisher mash), T₅ (21 days starter mash, 14 days grower mash, 21 days finisher mash) were adopted. A total of 120 broilers were allocated to these five treatments at the rate of 24 birds per treatment which were subdivided into 3 replicates with 8 birds per replicate. Analysis of carcass parts after 56 days trial shows weight of breast part in T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ were 518.87g, 526.05g, 499.44g, 491.29g and 482.69g respectively. Breast part in T₂ was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in the two triple phase regimes. Thigh weight varied significantly (p<0.05), but with no specific trend. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) that could be attributed to feeding regimes used in this trial in terms of liver weight, abdominal fat weight, wing weight, drumstick weight and heart weight. But the head weight, gizzard weight and intestine weight differed significantly (p<0.050) amongst treatments.