Summary Wooden breast (WB) abnormalities of broilers compromise the quality of fresh and processed meat. Yet, no standardised classification method for evaluating WB currently exists. We here provide a novel classification method to determine the severity of WB by palpation. Data were evaluated by one‐way anova. The classification method proved robust and reliable to classify broiler filets into three distinct categories (no, moderate and severe WB). This was supported by histological findings, demonstrating less muscle tissue in WB‐affected samples. Moreover, moisture content, resistance to compression, mobile water fraction, drip loss and cooking loss, as well as intramuscular and surface pH also increased with WB. Using the classification method, we demonstrated that severe WB increased the diversity of the endogenous microflora and promoted growth of Enterobacteriaceae. In conclusion, the presented classification method correlates with known meat quality traits and will be a valuable tool for future studies on WB.

a b s t r a c tSkatole, androstenone and other compounds such as indole cause boar taint in entire male pork. However, female pigs also produce skatole and indole. The purpose of this experiment was to minimise boar taint and increase overall impression of sensory quality by feeding entire male and female pigs with fibrerich feedstuffs. The pigs have been fed three organic diets for either 1 or 2 weeks prior to slaughter of which two diets contained different fermentable fibre-rich feedstuffs -10-13.3% dried chicory roots or 25% blue lupines. These two treatments were compared with pigs fed with an organic control diet for either 1 or 2 weeks prior to slaughter. Lupines significantly reduced skatole in blood and backfat for both genders after 1 week. Moreover, lupines showed negative impact on growth rate and feed conversion whilst chicory showed no significant differences in this respect. However, the indole concentration was significantly lower in chicory than lupine fed pigs. From a sensory perspective, chicory and lupine feeding reduced boar taint since odour and flavour of manure related to skatole and urine associated to androstenone were minimised. The level of boar taint in the entire male pigs was most effectively reduced after 14 days by both fibre-rich feeds while lupine had the largest influence on ''boar" taint reduction in female pigs.

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