Growth performance and carcass traits of broiler reared in conventional and organic conditions

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to compare the growth and some carcass characteristics of broiler chickens reared in conventional and organic methods. Totally 360 days-old broiler chicks were divided into 6 groups randomly with 3 replicates. Treatment groups were conventional, Organic Control (OC), ad libitum Organic+Pasture (Adlib OP), 80% Organic+Pasture (OP 80), 70% Organic+Pasture (OP 70), 50% Organic+Pasture (OP 50). Growth performance of conventional (6 weeks) and organic groups (10 weeks) was investigated. Birds reared under condition of conventional and organic were slaughtered at the end of 6 and 10 weeks of age, respectively. Feed restriction and diet consumed by the birds had impacts (p<0.01) on growth performance, feed consumption, feed efficiency and carcass traits. The average body weights of conventional, Adlib OP, OP 80, OP 70 and OP 50 groups were 2305.4, 1935.4, 3028.6, 2656.7 and 2789.6 g at the end of fattening period, respectively. According to results of this study, it could be said that if organic broiler production has to be done with fast growing birds and feed restriction and access to outside with pasture designed for poultry to contribute nutrient intake would be taken account. Moreover, 70 or 50% feed restriction with shorter rearing period (8 weeks) could also be practiced. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.