Meat quality of broilers in an extended fattening period

Abstract

This study evaluates the effect of protease-supplemented diets containing different crude protein levels, sex and length of the fattening period on the weight and percentage yield of primal cuts in Cobb 500 broilers. Chickens were fed maize-and-soybean-based diets. Fattening periods lasted 49 and 63 days. The results showed that the recommended crude protein reduction by 4% in diets supplemented with 0.2% protease had no effect on the weight and percentage yield of primal cuts (P>0.05), while the effect of broiler sex and slaughter age on the studied carcass quality parameters was significant (P<0.05).