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Sexual Dimorphism in Bone Quality and Performance of Conventional Broilers at Different Growth Phases

Author

Listed:
  • Johanna Müsse

    (Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6b, 18059 Rostock, Germany
    Department 3.7, Research Livestock, Chamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, Mars-la-Tour Str. 6, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Helen Louton

    (Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 6b, 18059 Rostock, Germany)

  • Birgit Spindler

    (Institute for Animal Hygiene, Animal Welfare and Farm Animal Behavior, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173 Hanover, Germany)

  • Jenny Stracke

    (Institute of Animal Science, Farm Animal Ethology, University of Bonn, Endenicher Allee 15, 53115 Bonn, Germany)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze sexual dimorphism with regard to the bone quality of Ross 308 broilers. The relationship between carcass traits, performance and bone quality was analyzed. The effect of sex and age at slaughter was examined in four replicates, always on day 31 and day 38. The weight, length, minimum diameter and breaking strength of the tibiotarsi were measured to determine the bone quality. Female tibiotarsi were shorter, lighter and had a lower minimum diameter and breaking strength compared to male ones. The tibiotarsi of older broilers were found to show higher values in the three-point bending test. The effects on broiler performance were determined by measuring the live body weight, carcass and cut weights. The results demonstrate significant effects of the age at slaughter and the sex ( p < 0.001) on all measured parameters, with males always reaching higher values compared to females. A strong correlation of performance and bone parameters could be observed between live weight and weight of the tibiotarsi on both days of data collection. Therefore, it could be beneficial to raise female and male broilers separately. However, in order to make specific recommendations for practice, further knowledge is necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Müsse & Helen Louton & Birgit Spindler & Jenny Stracke, 2022. "Sexual Dimorphism in Bone Quality and Performance of Conventional Broilers at Different Growth Phases," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:8:p:1109-:d:873696
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole Kemper, 2023. "Animal Hygiene on Farms—More Important than Ever Before," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-3, August.
    2. Yanyan Sun & Chen Liu & Yunlei Li & Dongli Li & Lei Shi & Jilan Chen, 2023. "Effect of Cage and Floor Housing Systems on Muscle Fiber Characteristics, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Slow-Growing Meat-Type Chickens," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Kilian Fenske & Andreas Lemme & Elmar Rother & Heiner Westendarp, 2022. "Scaling Up the Effects of Low Nitrogen in Commercial Broiler Farms," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-20, December.

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