The influence of some factors on carcass defects during fattening period in broilers

Abstract

SUMMARY The aim of present study was to determine the effect of slaughtering age, stocking density, gender, litter type, feeder type and poultry house type on the possible carcass defects such as broken bones, joint defects, breast blister, blood and bruise on breast, thigh and wing, breast bruise. The incidence of these carcass defects decreased with increasing age of broiler. The incidence of broken bones, joint defects and breast bruise increased with increasing stocking density. The incidence of joint defects and blood and bruise on thigh for female were significantly higher than those for male broiler. There are no significant differences among litter type in terms of the carcass defects of broilers. There are no significant differences among type of feeder and of house in terms of incidence of carcass defects measured in this experiment. Broken bones, bruising and other defects with carcass indicate adverse animal welfare and loss in product yield. This experiment determined the nature and incidence of defects contributing to the total.