Performance, Livability, Carcass Yield and Meat Quality of Tunisian Local Poultry and Fast-Growing Genotype (Arbor Acres) Fed Standard Diet and Raised Outdoor Access

The objectives of the present study have therefore been to compare the performances, the carcass yield and meat quality from local Tunisian poultry and fast-growing genotype (Arbor Acres). Local poultry and Arbor Acres were raised for 16 and 8 weeks respectively. The performances of local chickens were lower than those of the Arbor chickens under identical conditions (P < 0.0001). They have a weight at 16 weeks (1249g) and a total DWG weak (10.81 g/d), whereas the Arbor have a BW at 8 weeks (2383g) and a total DWG (41.66 g/d). The growth rate for local chicken (K=0.156/w) is lower than for Arbor (K=0.354/w). The feed intake of concentrates during 16w by local chicken are comparable with the Arbor chicken at 8w (P > 0.05) thus showing a good valorisation of the pasture by local chicken (14.4%). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) for local poultry was relatively high (3.97) and their livability of is comparable to the Arbor (P > 0.0001), this shows well thermo-tolerance of local chicken and its rusticity (P < 0.0001). The ultime pH after 24h of slaughtering was relatively high (6.1) for local poultry compared to Arbor (5.79) and color parameters in the main muscles were particularly intense for local poultry. The carcass of local poultry is thin and low in fat (P < 0.0001).