This study was carried out on 150 cockerel chickens each of Harco Black and Novogen strains to determine their performance, carcass yield and meat composition on free range and deep litter production systems. The birds were brooded for 4 weeks and thereafter allotted to the different production systems for a period of 12 weeks. Each production system was allotted 150 chicks (75 chicks per strain) with three replicates of 25 chicks. The birds on deep litter production system were fed ad libitum while each bird on free range was fed 50 % of its daily feed requirement. On the 84 th day, a total of 36 birds were randomly selected for analysis of the carcass yield and meat composition. The data generated were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance in a 2 × 2 factorial experimental arrangement. Novogen strain consumed less feed (P < 0.05) on free range and had the best feed/gain (2.72). A higher (P < 0.05) shear force value (3.74 N) was obtained in the thigh muscle for birds on free range. The tibia proximal length and breadth, and tibia distal length and breadth were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the production systems and strains. On free range, Harco black had more meat (85.69 g) than bone (18.07 g) in the breast while Novogen had the lowest meat/bone (2.38). Conclusively, Novogen strain should be raised on free range for a better performance in terms of feed/gain, but for higher meat composition, Harco black is a better strain.

Se consideró el rendimiento y atributos sensoriales de la carne de 150 pollos de las lineas Harco Black y Novogen explotados en sistemas de cama profunda y a campo. Las aves, tras 4 semanas de acostumbramiento fueron asignadas a los diferentes sistemas de producción durante un período de 12 semanas. A cada sistema de producción se destinaron 150 pollos (75 por línea), con tres repeticiones de 25 pollos. Las aves en el sistema de cama profunda fueron alimentadas ad libitum; a las aves criadas a campo se les suministró el 50 % de sus necesidades de alimentación diaria. En el día 84, un total de 36 aves fueron seleccionadas al azar para el sacrificio por decapitación y determinar los atributos sensoriales de la carne. Los datos generados se sometieron a un análisis de la varianza de dos vías en un diseño factorial 2×2. Las aves de la línea Novogen en pastoreo consumieron menos pienso (p

The relationship between morphological traits and body condition score (BCS) of indigenous sheep breeds was assessed. A total number of 400 indigenous sheep were sampled. Twelve body measurements were taken from these sheep; these measurements were then used to estimate body indices of these animals. Data were subjected to General Linear Model and correlation using SAS. Results revealed that there were significant effects (p>0.05) of sex on some morphological traits and body indices of the sheep. There were negative and significant (p<0.01) correlation between body condition score and height index, over increased index, index of chest compression, cephalic index and dactyl thorax index. There were positive and significant (p<0.01) correlation between body condition score and length index, weight, thoracic development and conformation index. It was concluded that there was low correlation between BCS, morphological traits and body indices of sheep except in conformation index. This implies that increase in conformation index will result in increase in BCS and vice-versa.

Boiled meat. Grilled meat. Production system. PALABRAS CLAVE ADICIONALESCarne cocida. Carne a la parrilla. Sistema de producción. SUMMARYThis study was carried out on the performance and meat sensory attributes of 150 cockerel chickens each of Harco Black and Novogen strains reared on deep litter and free range production systems. The birds were brooded for 4 weeks and thereafter allotted to the different production systems for a period of 12 weeks. Each production system was allotted 150 chicks (75 chicks per strain) with three replicates of 25 chicks. The birds on deep litter production system were fed ad libitum while each bird on free range was fed 50 % of its daily feed requirement. On the 84 th day, a total of 36 birds were randomly selected for slaughtering by neck decapitation and the sensory attributes of the meat were determined. The data generated were subjected to a two-way analysis of variance in a 2×2 factorial experimental arrangement. Novogen strain on free range consumed less feed (p<0.05) and had the best feed: gain ratio (2.72). The results showed that the production systems and strains gave similar results by factors though higher percentage mortality was recorded in birds reared on free range. Novogen strain on free range recorded the highest (p<0.05) value of 38 % in mortality while Harco Black on deep litter recorded the least value (6 %). Significant (p<0.05) differences were found in the taste and flavour of grilled cockerel meat with Novogen strain on free range having the highest values of 8.00 and 7.50, respectively. Conclusively, for better meat sensory attributes, birds should be reared on free range. RESUMENSe consideró el rendimiento y atributos sensoriales de la carne de 150 pollos de las lineas Harco Black y Novogen explotados en sistemas de cama profunda y a campo. Las aves, tras 4 semanas de acostumbramiento fueron asignadas a los diferentes sistemas de producción durante un período de 12 semanas. A cada sistema de producción se destinaron 150 pollos (75 por línea), con tres repeticiones de 25 pollos. Las aves en el sistema de cama profunda fueron alimentadas ad libitum; a las aves criadas a campo se les suministró el 50 % de sus necesidades de alimentación diaria. En el día 84, un total de 36 aves fueron seleccionadas al azar para el sacrificio por decapitación y determinar los atributos sensoriales de la carne. Los datos generados se sometieron a un análisis de la varianza de dos vías en un diseño factorial 2×2. Las aves de la línea Novogen en pastoreo consumieron menos pienso (p<0,05) y presentaron el mejor índice de transformación (2,72). Los resultados tanto por sistemas de producción como por líneas, fueron similares aunque el porcentaje de mortalidad fue más alto en las aves criadas en pastoreo. La línea Novogen en pastoreo registró el más alto (p<0,05) valor de mortalidad (38 %), mientras que la línea Harco Black en cama profunda registró el menor valor (6 %). Se encontraron diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en el gusto y el aroma de la carne a la parrilla con la lín...

This study determined the effect of feeding trough shapes on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost benefit analysis of 180 broiler chickens of two strains (90 birds each of Marshal and Hubbard strains) subjected to circular, rectangular and square-shaped 2 feeding troughs with a surface area of 900 cm each. The broiler chicks were brooded for two weeks and thereafter allotted into six treatment groups of 30 chicks each, consisting of 3 replicates of 10 chicks per replicate. Daily weight gains were recorded and at the 8th week, 3 broiler chickens that were of average weights for each replicate were used for carcass evaluation. Data were analysed using PRO GLM at 5% level of significance. Results showed that feeding trough shapes significantly (P< 0.05) influenced the final weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Birds on circular feeding trough recorded the best feed conversion ratio (2.98±0.03). The feeding trough shape and strain did not significantly (P>0.05) affect the cut-up parts and organs measured. In the interaction between strain and feeding trough, the dressing percentage was significantly (P<0.05) affected, but did not follow any trend. Marshal strain on square feeding trough recorded significantly (P<0.05) lowest production cost (N539.25) while Hubbard strain on circular feeder had the highest cost of N605.46. It was concluded that, in terms of cost of production, the square and rectangular shaped feeding troughs could be adopted.