Title: Evaluation of Five Commercial Broiler Crosses
Abstract: The eviscerated yields and carcass characteristics of five commercial broiler crosses were evaluated. In each of four trials, processed in December, March, June, and September, 33 birds from each cross and each sex were used. Individual live weights were recorded at 56 days of age, prior to feed withdrawal, and immediately before processing (plant weight). The fresh eviscerated carcass weight, neck, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, and heart weights were evaluated as a percentage of the plant weight. The relative yields of parts, breast, back, wings, legs, and thighs were determined for both sexes of each cross. No significant differences were observed in the loss of weight from the 56 day to the plant weight between crosses in any trial. In all trials, differences in plant weights between crosses were statistically significant (P<.01) when weights for both sexes were combined. When data from the four trials were combined, the cross × trial interaction for plant weights was significant (P<.01). The fresh eviscerated carcass yields were not significantly influenced by the cross or sex of broilers in any trial. The amount of abdominal fat was the largest single significant (P<.01) source of variation among the commercial yield of broiler crosses. When cut into parts, carcasses from female broilers had a significantly (P<.01) greater proportion of breast and back than male carcasses.