Productive performances and carcase quality of male and female Italian Padovana and Polverara slow-growing chicken breeds

Abstract

Live performances and carcase quality of Padovana (n = 81) and Polverara (n = 76) chickens were investigated considering breed, gender and their interaction (B × G). Birds were reared until 183 d of age. After slaughter, yields were computed, and pH and L*a*b*colour values were measured on breast and leg meat. Breeds exhibited similar performances and yields, except a greater commercial carcase incidence for Polverara (p