Carcass Indices and Organoleptic Properties of Organically Raised Broiler Chickens in Derived Savanna Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

The influence of carcass indices and organoleptic properties of organically raised broiler chickens wereinvestigated in a twelve-week feeding and management trial in derived savanna environment of Nigeria.Conventional birds (control) group A and organically raised birds (groups B, C and D from which organic millet,sorghum and wheat have been excluded from their diets respectively). 180 day-old Ross broiler chicks wererandomly distributed into (4) experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatmentgroup was replicated into three with 15 birds per replicate. Organic birds were allowed a three hour foragingdaily on experimental quadrants. At the end of 8th week, meats from 108 chickens (27 birds) from each treatmentwere slaughtered for assessment of carcass characteristics and organoleptic properties. The results indicated thatthe different dietary treatments have effect on carcass characteristics and organoleptic properties. Conventionalbirds shows highest values for live weight, breast, thigh weights and as expected organoleptic properties whileorganic broilers demonstrated higher values for organ weights. It was concluded that organic broilers seems to bea possible alternative to the conventional methods since the carcass traits and the organoleptics properties ofbroiler chickens fed organically had been established and feed must not be 100% organic diets withconsideration of crude protein and energy requirement of broilers to meet up with the demand of consumertowards organic meat. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the best broiler chickens that will showmore response to organic feed in derived savanna environment of Nigeria.Keywords: Organic farming, primal cut, visceral organs and organoleptic properties, ross broilers.