Growth, Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of Dong Tao Chickens

Abstract

     The study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance, carcass yield and meat quality of Dong Tao chickens raised under semi-pasture at households. Five households in Dong Tao commune were selected for raising 250 Dong Tao chickens from 1 day old to 24 weeks old. The results showed that after 24 weeks, the survival rate was 86.4%. The males and females reached body weight of 2584.76 and 2.188,95g, respectively. The feed intake and FCR were 105 g/head/day and 4.6 kg, respectively. Dressing, breast, thigh and abdominal fat rate were 66.76, 15.39, 23.40 and 1.62%, respectively (the males had no abdominal fat). The meat colors of Dong Tao chicken were as follows L*: 53.71 - 59.72; a*: 8.20 - 13.76 and tenderness ranged between 28.66 - 37.14 kg/cm². The thigh muscles were darker, dark red and tougher than breast muscles. Dong Tao chickens were relatively high in carcass yield, normal in meat quality and the meat was red and tough.