Effects of breeder age and early energy restriction on fattening performance, some meat quality traits and plasma leptin concentration of broilers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of breeder age and early energy restriction on fattening performance, meat quality and plasma leptin concentration of broilers. A total of 504 male chicks were obtained from three different ages (27, 38 and 60 weeks) of broiler breeders. Chicks from each age of breeder groups were randomly divided into 2 diet groups (control and energy restriction). Broilers in energy restriction group were fed diet with reduced 10% energy from day 8 to 14. The body weight, body weight gain, feed consumption and feed to gain ratio were determined weekly during the experiment. At days 7, 14 and 41, seven broilers from each group were bled to measure the leptin concentration. At 42 day of age, 21 broilers of each group were slaughtered. Carcass, heart, liver, gizzard, spleen and abdominal fat were weighed. pH, cooking loss, moisture, protein, fat and ash of thigh meat were determined. In conclusion, breeder age affected the initial weight, total body weight gain, feed consumption and abdominal fat, whereas energy restriction affected the 2nd week body weight gain, total feed consumption, total feed to gain ratio, heart and liver percentages and also moisture and protein levels of thigh meat. Leptin was only affected by broiler age. Interaction between breeder age early energy restriction in diet of broilers was not seen except that the 2nd week feed to gain ratio.