Effect of Broiler Strain, Sex, and Age on the Live Body Weight and Relative Weights of the Visceral Organs in Broiler Chickens

The study examined the effect of age, strain, and gender on chickens' body weight, carcass yield, and relative weight of some visceral organs. A total of ۲۲۴-day-old chickens from two broiler strains (Arian and Ross ۳۰۸) were randomly allocated into ۵۶ wire cages. Each cage contained four broilers (two males and two females), resulting in ۲۸ replicate cages for each strain. On four specific days of the rearing period (days ۱۰, ۲۴, ۳۲, and ۴۲), ۱۲±۲ male and ۱۲±۲ female chickens from each broiler strain were randomly selected, weighed, and slaughtered. The carcass yield, visceral organ weights, and the weight of different segments of the alimentary tract were determined on each slaughter day after evisceration. The findings indicated that Ross ۳۰۸ broilers were significantly heavier than Arian chickens at ۳۲ and ۴۲ days. The gizzard and jejunum relative weights in the Arian strain were significantly higher than in Ross ۳۰۸ (p<۰.۰۵). Females in both strains had a higher relative liver weight compared with males. The bursa in the Ross ۳۰۸ was found to be significantly heavier compared to Arian only in ۳۲-day-old broiler chickens. Additionally, in ۲۴-day-old chickens of the Ross strain, the weight of the bursa was heavier than that in ۱۰-day-old chickens from the same strain (p<۰.۰۵). Therefore, due to enhanced bursa growth (۱۰–۲۴ days) and higher relative bursa weight in Ross ۳۰۸ compared with Arian, it is postulated that the Ross ۳۰۸ strain underwent more intensive breeding programs for improved immune competence. The study examined the effect of age, strain, and gender on chickens' body weight, carcass yield, and relative weight of some visceral organs. A total of ۲۲۴-day-old chickens from two broiler strains (Arian and Ross ۳۰۸) were randomly allocated into ۵۶ wire cages. Each cage contained four broilers (two males and two females), resulting in ۲۸ replicate cages for each strain. On four specific days of the rearing period (days ۱۰, ۲۴, ۳۲, and ۴۲), ۱۲±۲ male and ۱۲±۲ female chickens from each broiler strain were randomly selected, weighed, and slaughtered. The carcass yield, visceral organ weights, and the weight of different segments of the alimentary tract were determined on each slaughter day after evisceration. The findings indicated that Ross ۳۰۸ broilers were significantly heavier than Arian chickens at ۳۲ and ۴۲ days. The gizzard and jejunum relative weights in the Arian strain were significantly higher than in Ross ۳۰۸ (p<۰.۰۵). Females in both strains had a higher relative liver weight compared with males. The bursa in the Ross ۳۰۸ was found to be significantly heavier compared to Arian only in ۳۲-day-old broiler chickens. Additionally, in ۲۴-day-old chickens of the Ross strain, the weight of the bursa was heavier than that in ۱۰-day-old chickens from the same strain (p<۰.۰۵). Therefore, due to enhanced bursa growth (۱۰–۲۴ days) and higher relative bursa weight in Ross ۳۰۸ compared with Arian, it is postulated that the Ross ۳۰۸ strain underwent more intensive breeding programs for improved immune competence.

کلیدواژه ها:

Arian ، Breeding ، Carcass ، Ross ۳۰۸ ، Small intestine