Effect of housing system and nutrient regimes on carcass characteristics of dual purpose coloured birds

A total number of 288 day old chicks of dual purpose coloured birds, 144 from each genotypic stock (G1 and G2) distributed in 24 replicated sub groups were evaluated for carcass yield performance (at 6 weeks) under three dietary regimes and two housing systems viz. deep litter (H1) and cage (H2). Genotype G1 and G2 respectively were produced from normal bodied coloured sire line. Three dietary treatment formulated were having 18, 20 and 22% protein and isocaloric 2800 kcal ME/kg diet. Genotype, housing system and dietary protein had significant influence on live measurements and total meat yield (TMY) percent of both sexes at 6 weeks age. TMY obtained were 71.73 and 70.28% in males and 68.71 and 69.74% in females for G1 and G2 respectively. Higher percent blood loss and percent giblet in males, whereas feather loss in females was recorded in both genotypes. The abdominal fat percent of G1 and G2 dual purpose coloured birds differ significantly in males and G2 showed higher values which ranges from 0.74 to 1.30% in both sexes. Except significant genetic stock differences for percent back with neck weight in females, genotype did not exert significant influence on any cut up yields. The percent dressing and total meat yield was found increased with lower level of dietary protein, whereas increased protein level result lower fat yield. The present study suggests that for obtaining better growth performance and carcass traits genotype is more important simultaneously there is need of a better combination of housing system and percent dietary protein.