Influence of Management System on Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Ugandan Local Chickens

The effect of management system on growth performance and carcass characteristics of local chicken cockerels was assessed. The cockerels were randomly allotted to three management systems (deep litter, run and free range systems). Each system was replicated six times with ten birds each. In all the management systems, birds accessed a diet of 20% CP and 3032 kcal/kg ME. The birds were individually weighed after every two weeks. At the end of the experiment, four cockerels from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. Dressing percentage, carcass yield, relative weights of carcass portions and organs, and physical, chemical and organoleptic properties were assessed. Birds reared under the free range system had the lowest body weight gain (P < 0.05), whereas those reared under the run and deep litter systems showed similar body weight gains. Birds in the deep litter system had the heaviest breasts (P < 0.05), while birds reared in the free range system developed heavier thighs (P < 0.05). Management system neither had any significant effect on the physical characteristics of the meat nor on sensory evaluation of breast meat. Birds from the free range system had the least tender and least juicy drumstick meat. The data suggests that cockerels under the free range system require more time to attain market weight and their meat possesses attributes that are concomitant with tastes and preferences of many chicken consumers.