Effect of Organic Production System on the Performance and Meat Quality of Two Purebred Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds

Abstract

the objective of the study was to compare the effect of organic and conventional rearing systems on the productivity and meat quality of Yellowleg Partridge (Ż-33) and Rhode Island Red (R-11) chickens. a total of 492 sexed experimental birds (Gallus domesticus) were assigned to four groups. In groups I-C and III-C, the Ż-33 and R-11 chickens were reared under intensive conditions following conventional farming principles. In groups II-O and IV-O, the Ż-33 and R-11 chickens were kept according to organic farming principles. Body weight, feed conversion (kg/kg gain) and mortality were recorded throughout the study. On day 140 of rearing, the native breed chickens were subjected to simplified slaughter analysis, and meat pH, muscle colour, water holding capacity and chilling loss were determined. the meat samples were analysed for the chemical composition and profile of fatty acids, and the peroxidizability index (PI), thrombogenic index (TI) and atherogenicity index (AI) were calculated. The organically raised chickens were characterised by higher body weight (P≤0.01), better feed conversion (P≤0.01) and more favourable fatty acid profile of the muscles compared to the conventionally reared birds. Under organic conditions, the R-11 chickens showed better productivity but slightly poorer fatty acid profile of the muscles compared to the Ż-11 chickens.key words: chickens, native breeds, organic production system, performance, meat quality, fatty acid profile Organic farming is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and around the world. The main cause is the growing demand from consumers who are looking for safer and better controlled food products and who show concern for a healthy environment and animal welfare.

The effect of polyphenols and vitamin E on the antioxidant status and meat quality of broiler chickens fed low-quality oil

“…In our study, the PI percentage and level of PUFAs was higher in the breast muscle of the chickens fed diets without rancid oil. Similarly, Batkowska et al (2011) and Sosnówka-Czajka et al (2017) found the PI value to be higher in the muscle of birds with a higher PUFA content.…”

Alpha-Ketoglutarate: An Effective Feed Supplement in Improving Bone Metabolism and Muscle Quality of Laying Hens: A Preliminary Study

“…Drip loss was determined from meat weight loss after 24 h of cold storage at 4 • C. To this end, samples weighing 50 g were collected from the cranial part of breast muscle 15 min post-mortem and placed in airtight containers. The drip loss was determined as a percentage loss of initial weight [43].…”

A Comparison of Morphometric Indices, Mineralization Level of Long Bones and Selected Blood Parameters in Hens of Three Breeds

“…In Poland, generally native and locally adapted breeds of hens are recommenced for alternative housing, as they are adapted to using the pasture and are less susceptible to unfavourable weather. These breeds are used for organic systems (Sosnówka-Czajka et al, 2017) and for production of capons (Calik et al, 2017) and poulardes (Obrzut et al, 2018;Krawczyk et al, 2019), high-quality, exclusive niche products (Kuźniacka et al, 2017). Hence, there is a need for studies on the bone quality in native and locally adapted breeds of hens, not only because of animal welfare but also because of the food safety (bone fragments in meat) and economic losses.…”