Growth and carcass quality of broilers

This research was carried out on 115 Ross 208 female broilers. Data on live weights were collected from 91 broilers during 7 weeks of fattening which was the basis for modelling the growth curve using asymmetric S-function. T he same function was used for modelling growth of Ross 208 female broilers on the basis of data obtained from technological procedure. The parameters of the model was established as well as the stages of growth and inflection point. By the model, 99.924% and 99.954% of variance was explained for liv e weights of female broilers from experiment and from technological procedu re, respectively. This means that asymmetric S-function can be used as the model for description of broilers' growth. Using this function it was possi ble to predict the future weights of broilers. It is also possible to predi ct the time in which broilers reach certain live weight. The birds from exp eriment would cease useful growth at t(C) = 8.45 weeks while those from tec hnological procedure cease useful growth at t(C) = 8.07 weeks. Other 24 Ros s 208 female broilers were slaughtered when they reached determined weights from 2200 to 3400 g in the period from 7th to 12th week. The data obtained by dissection of those broilers on the main parts (breast, thighs with dru mstick, wings and back) were used for the analysis of relative growth by al lometric equation. Growth rates (b) for the most valuable parts and abdomin al fat were: breast - 1.158; thighs with drumstick - 0.819; wings - 0.725; back - 1.063 and fat - 1.519. Allometric coefficients indicate that only fa t production was intensive in the studied period. This confirms the conclus ion that the best age for the slaughter of broilers is that established by asymmetric S-function.