ESTIMATION OF BREAST MEAT YIELD IN LIVING BROILERS USING B-SCAN SONOGRAPHY - 1.REPORT - DEFINING SITES OF MEASUREMENT

Ultrasonic b-scan measurements were employed to estimate breast meat y ield in living fully feathered broilers. Three sires of measurement we re described (at the cranial end of the sternum (1), parallel to the s ternum (2), above the os coracoideum (3)). Each site is defined by two fixed points, which are striking features of the breast bones. A deta iled description of each site of measurement was given. The speed of m easurement was about 60 birds per hour for sites 1 and 3. Site 2 was m ore time consuming. For all sites the working time can be reduced furt her. The technique of measuring is easy to learn, so no highly qualifi ed personnel is needed. Detailed experimental results will be reported in the following report.