Vol. 12, Special Issue 7 (2023)

Author(s):
Divya V, Sankaralingam S and Anitha P

Abstract:
Two hundred- and eighty-eight-day-old Gramasree male chicks were assigned to six dietary treatments in a 3x2 factorial arrangement with three protein levels (22, 20 and 18% CP) and two energy levels (3100 and 2800 kcal ME/ kg) and reared from 0-12 weeks of age at University Poultry and Duck Farm (UPDF), Mannuthy, Thrissur, Kerala. At the end of 8, 10, 12 weeks of age, two birds from each replicate, totaling 48 birds were randomly selected and slaughtered humanely and the processing yields and losses were estimated. Energy level at 3100 kcal ME/ kg led to significant (p<0.05) increase in percent ready-to-cook yield at 8 weeks of age. The mean percent abdominal fat was significantly (p<0.01) higher in birds fed with 3100 kcal ME/ kg at all ages of slaughter. Birds fed with diet containing 3100 kcal ME/ kg led to reduction in processing losses at all ages of slaughter in all treatment groups. In general, among the dietary treatment groups birds fed with diet containing 3100 kcal ME/ kg at 22 and 20% CP had better growth and higher percent ready-to-cook yield and eviscerated yield and lower processing losses at all slaughter ages.