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The effects of genotype and diet on growth performance, carcass traits and blood metabolites were investigated. The commercial Ross 308 (R) chickens genotype, a local Black Transylvanian Naked Neck (BTNN) breed, and their crosses were used in an 81-day study. A total of 720 one-d-old chicks were allotted into eight groups in a 4 × 2 factorial design with 4 genotypes: Rmale × Rfemale (R), BTNNmale × Rfemale (BTNN-R), BTNNmale × BTNNfemale (BTNN), Rmale × BTNNfemale (R-BTNN), and 2 diets: control and low-metabolisable energy (LME). Genotype affected performance parameters, namely body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), energy intake (EI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), energy conversion ratio (ECR), and production efficiency factor (PEF), irrespective of growth phase (p < 0.05). Diet had no significant effect on overall BWG, EI, ECR and PEF, except that it increased FI and FCR. Genotype influenced the carcass and organ yields (p < 0.05), except bursa weight, while diet had no significant effect. Blood parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, albumin and phosphorus) were affected only by genotype (p < 0.05). In summary, results show that from the two crossbreedings obtained between R and BTNN genotypes, the BTNN-R growth performance and carcass traits were superior to R-BTNN, even though both have had a similar improved plasma response. Lowering the ME level did not significantly affect the BWG but increased FI and FCR, whereas the production index was similar regardless of the genotype. Based on the present results, we concluded that the BTNN-R crosses are the most suitable for use in alternative rearing systems for slow-growing chickens.

Technically and commercially carcass quality is determined by carcass size (weight, output, percentage of body parts) and carcass conformation (muscle profiles, fat presence, etc.). Experiments were performed at S.D.E. Avicola Moara Domnească with 150 broilers type Bio of Plymouth Rock race divided in three treatments based of nutritive value of combined feed given (ME, E1, E2). Experimental period had 84 days same as in production technology of ecological chicks. Data that was obtained during the experiment were processed and so it was noticed that best slaughtering results (commercial output, percentages of breast and legs from carcass) were obtained in group E2 (receiving a combined feed with diminished energy level). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product quality standard is a base criterion for animal product consumers in their product selection. To establish the quality of carcasses data about slaughtering output, percentage of cuts from carcasses and percentage of main internal organs from carcasses were registered and processed both for live weight and carcasses. Experiments were performed at S.D.E. Avicola Moara Domnească during 56 days with 150 Plymouth Rock chickens divided in three treatments based of nutritive value of combined feed given (FM, F1, F2). Data that was obtained during the experiment were processed and so it was noticed that best commercial output was obtained in group with constant nutritive parameters (FM) and best breast percentage from carcass was noticed in group with variable protein (F1) and best in leg percentage was noticed in group with variable energy (F2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]