Comparison of performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and blood parameters of Arian and Ross308 broiler strains

This study aimed to compare the relative weight of visceral organs, different carcass cuts, the relative length of different intestinal segments, meat quality, hematocrit, and blood metabolites between Arian and Ross308 broiler strains. 

One-day-old mixed-sex broiler chickens from Ross308 and Arian strains were separately allocated to two treatment groups. The initial number of each broiler strain was 48, divided into 12 replicate cages with four chicks each. On days 32 and 42, one bird per replicate was randomly selected (12 broilers from each treatment group), weighed, and killed by cutting the jugular vein with a sharp knife. Then the relative weights of visceral organs and relative length of small intestine segments were determined for both strains. The carcass characteristics and the breast and thigh meat quality (including water-holding capacity, cooking loss, and lipid peroxidation) were assessed only in the birds killed on the 42nd day of age. Some plasma metabolites and hematocrit were also determined after blood collection into heparinized tubes at the end of the rearing period.

The results showed that the total feed intake of Arian broilers was higher than that of Ross 308 (P≤0.05), but no difference was observed in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) between the two strains. The rate of weight gain in the first two weeks was higher in the Arian strain (P≤0.05). However, this trend was reversed during the 5th week of the rearing period. The carcass and valuable cut yields at 42 days of age were higher in Ross308 broilers compared to Arian birds (P≤0.05). On both days of slaughter, the gizzard relative weight was higher in Arian broilers, while the bursa relative weight was lower in this strain compared to Ross308 (P≤0.05). The visceral fat relative weight showed a significant difference between the two strains only at 42 days of age, and it was higher in the Arian broilers (P≤0.05). There was no strain difference in relative weight of the gut and different segments of small intestine at both examined ages. However, the proportion of the jejunum to the total length of the small intestine in the Arian strain was significantly higher than that of the Ross 308 (P≤0.05). Mean plasma uric acid concentrations were significantly lower in Arian compared to Ross 308 (P≤0.05). However, the mean concentration of plasma total triglycerides and hematocrit values were higher in Arian broilers (P≤0.05). The amount of stimulated malondialdehyde in the breast and thigh meat showed higher values in the Arian broilers (P≤0.05), indicating the lower oxidation stability of the chicken meat of the Arian broilers compared to Ross308.

According to the results of the present study, Arian was not competitive with Ross 308 as a well-known commercial broiler strain in terms of the examined parameters. However, by gaining a better understanding of the weekly performance, carcass characteristics, and blood parameters of the Arian strain at different ages and in comparison with the Ross 308, the broiler farmers will be able to adopt the best management and nutritional strategy for raising these native broilers chickens.