Authors:O. O. Adeleye, A. O. Fanimo, D. Eruvbetine, O. M. Sogunle
International Journal of Applied Animal Sciences, Volume 1(2):48-51
©International Network for Scientific & Industrial Information
ISSN 1925-3869 (online)
Abstract
This experiment was conducted to investigate the performance and carcass characteristics and yield of two strains of cockerels raised in two different housing systems (wooden cage and deep litter) during the early rainy season (March-June), The trial involved the use of 240 birds in total, 60 birds each of Hyline and Nera black cockerels which were randomly divided. The two strains of cockerels were grouped into three replicates of 20 birds each for deep litter and wooden cage housing systems respectively. The cockerel chicks were raised for 16 weeks after which they were slaughtered using the Halal method of slaughtering. Data collection commenced after slaughtering. There was no significant difference in the live weights and dressing percentage of the birds when considering the main effects but the interactive effects showed some differences (P<0.05) in the cut parts and organs. The thigh, wing and drum stick showed a new trend with the Hyline strains in both housing types showing no significant (p>0.05) difference with the values recorded and the Nera black strain also had no significant difference but there was a significant ( P<0.05 ) difference between the two strains across the treatment. For the thigh, the values ranged from 10.38% to 12.21 % the wings revealed values ranging from 13.54% to 14.89% and the drum stick had values ranging from 10.85% to 12.52%. The Hyline strain of cockerels had a better carcass yield especially in terms of cut parts which carries a lot of meat and organs which are attractive to a wide variety of household for special delicacies.