Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXIV, Issue 1
Written by Cipriana Maria CUCIUREANU, Marius Giorgi USTUROI, Răzvan Mihail RADU-RUSU
The research aimed to evaluate the influence exerted by the removal of the testicles (orchidectomy) in roosters, on the meat production made by them. In this regard, were formed two batches of roosters belonging to the Hubbard chicken hybrid, one batch was experimental (LE), consisting of castrated roosters at the age of 6 weeks, and one control batch (LM) consisting of uncastrated roosters. The birds of the two groups were raised under identical conditions and received the same type of compound feed; their slaughter was performed at the age of 20 weeks, on which occasion the yield at slaughter, the share of anatomical parts in the composition of the carcasses, as well as the weight of the internal organs were established. The data obtained showed that castrated males had a higher slaughter yield compare to specimens uncastrated, with 0.68% higher for dressed yield on fresh carcass and with 1.01% higher for dressed yield on maturated carcass. Also, for castrated roosters, were registered higher values for participation rates for the anatomical parts with commercial interest (by 2.92% for the breast and by 6.15% for the thighs and drumstick); also, were registered higher weights for the internal organs (by 0.72% for heart, 29.04% for liver and 20.44% for gizzard). The conclusion of the study was that the application of caponisation to Hubbard roosters led to a higher yield at slaughter and higher participation rates for the anatomical portions with commercial interest (breast, thighs and wings) compared to uncastrated specimens.
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