Strain by feed restriction interaction effect on carcass characteristics and meat quality of broiler chickens

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to rank the performance of three exotic strains of commercial broilers as influenced by feed restriction in terms of carcass and meat quality characteristics. It is believed that breeds of animals differ in their response to whatever treatment applied. The strains of broiler birds under investigation are Arbor Acre, Hubbard and Marshall. Analyzed results showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on live weight and slaughter weight of broiler chickens. However, there was significant (p0.05) strain by feed restriction interaction effect on aroma, colour, tenderness, juiciness and saltiness. This implies that the expression of these traits as affected by strain and treatment is mutually exclusive and not by joint action. But, there was significant (p