The Effect of the Scaleless Gene, sc, on Growth Performance and Carcass Composition of Broilers ,

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted in which featherless broilers (scaleless, sc/sc) were compared with feathered broilers for growth and body composition characteristics at environmental temperatures of 22, 34, and 38 C. The sc gene reduces growth and efficiency at 22 C but at 38 C the sc/sc broilers gain more, eat more, and are more efficient than feathered broilers. They achieve greater live, New York dressed, and eviscerated weights and consistently have greater eviscerated yields. The sc/sc broilers have more protein and mineral content and less fat than the feathered broilers.

The Effect of the Naked Neck Gene, Na, on Growth and Carcass Composition of Broilers Raised in Two Temperatures

“…The increased suppressing effect of the higher temperature on feed consumption and growth in this study is quite evident. In the scaleless gene study of Somes and Johnson (1982), the comparable figures for body weight were 12.2% (34 C) and 40% (38 C) and for feed consumpltion 53.1% (34 C) and 91.7% (38 C). It is evident that the higher temperature (3 8 C) had a much greater suppressing effect on body growth of the birds in the Na gene study than it did on the birds in the sc gene study.…”

“…In the sc gene study (Somes and Johnson, 1982), carcass composition was examined only at the lower temperature (34 C). Their findings differed from those of the present study in that Somes and Johnson (1982) found significantly more protein in the hot room sc birds in both comparisons and no difference in fat on a wet basis in either comparison. Ash content was greater for the sc birds as was moisture in one comparison.…”

“…In a similar type of study using the scaleless gene, sc Somes and Johnson, 1982), comparisons were made between sc/sc and Sc + /sc birds at temperatures of 22 vs. 34 C and 22 vs. 38 C. The sc/sc birds achieved greater live, New York dressed, and eviscerated weights than feathered broilers in the 38 C environment. Scaleless birds ate and gained more than feathered birds at this temperature, but they did not achieve body weights comparable to birds raised in cooler environments.…”

Cooked and Organoleptic Characteristics of Scaleless Broiler Chickens , ,

“…The objective of this line of research was to see what effect the sc gene would have on broiler growth and quality when the broilers were raised in a hot environment. Details of the development of the scaleless White Plymouth Rock broiler line, as well as data on their growth, efficiency, and carcass composition, have been previously reported (Johnson and Somes, 1978;Somes and Johnson, 1982). This report deals with the effect of the sc gene on cooked chicken and organoleptic measurements of 8-week-old broilers.…”

“…This report deals with the effect of the sc gene on cooked chicken and organoleptic measurements of 8-week-old broilers. This is part of a larger experiment that has been previously reported (Somes and Johnson, 1982).…”