LARGE TURKEY COMMERCIAL STRAIN COMPARISONS OF PERFORMANCE, CARCASS QUALITY AND MEAT YIELD DURING 1969 AND 1977

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During 1969 and 1977, two commercial strains of large turkey common to Ontario for each year were characterized with respect to performance and various aspects of carcass quality and yield. Feeds, facilities and procedures employed were comparable between the 2 yr. In compliance with commercial practice, toms were slaughtered at 24 and hens at 22 wk of age in 1969, while in 1977 marketing was 3 wk earlier. A comparison of final body weight between 2 test yr showed them to be similar, as was carcass quality with respect to conformation, and breast and back finish. Fleshing was less in 1977 relative to 1969; however, no differences were apparent for carcass yield or the proportion of the various commercial cuts. There was no indication of any difference in the utilization of feed calories or protein between the 2 test yr in favor of earlier marketing. Within each test year, both strains exhibited significant differences in certain aspects of performance during the earlier phases of growth but had comparable body weights, respective of sex, at slaughter. During 1969, one strain had a better fleshing assessment than the other; however, both remained largely within the grade A category and no statistically significant differences in the various aspects of yield appeared. In 1977, the separation of fleshing grade between the test strains was greater and alterations in the percentage of breast and its meat content were detected. The ability to detect strain effects for carcass quality and yields more easily during 1977 than in 1969 was attributed largely to differing degrees of sexual maturity. The absence of overt carcass differences between the two test years, conversely, was rationalized on the basis of a relative similarity in stage of development.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: