Carcass Characteristics and Economic Performance of Reciprocal Cross Hybrids between Anadolu-T and Commercial Broiler Parent Stocks

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Yeter B., Eleroğlu H.

Türk Tarım - Gıda Bilim ve Teknoloji dergisi, cilt.14, sa.7, ss.2010-2024, 2026 (TRDizin)

Özet

In the present study, Anadolu-T chickens and reciprocal cross hybrids produced from Anadolu-T and Commercial Broiler parent stocks were evaluated for carcass characteristics, meat quality, and economic performance. Four genotypes (AA, AC, CA, and CC) were tested using 384 chicks (4 genotypes × 4 replicates × 24 chicks). Following a 12-hour feed withdrawal, 96 birds were slaughtered for carcass and meat quality analyses. Genotype and sex significantly affected absolute carcass traits. Commercial Broiler genotypes (CC and AC) had the highest hot and cold carcass weights and cut-up part weights, whereas AA birds had the lowest values. Males consistently exhibited greater carcass and cut-up part weights than females. In contrast, carcass yield percentages were largely unaffected by genotype, with only breast and thigh proportions showing significant variation. Fat deposition differed according to genotype and sex, particularly for back fat weight and abdominal fat proportion. Meat quality analysis indicated that water-holding capacity and pH were primarily influenced by genotype and carcass region, while sex had limited effects. Meat color traits, including hue angle, chroma, and total color difference, were mainly affected by carcass region and sex, with genotype exerting only minor influence. Economic evaluation showed that although feed costs per bird were similar among genotypes, total production cost, revenue, net profit, and profitability differed significantly. CC and AC genotypes generated the highest revenues and net profits, while AC achieved the lowest production cost per kilogram of live weight and the greatest overall profitability. Overall, genetic background and sex strongly influenced carcass weight, fat deposition, and selected meat quality traits, whereas proportional carcass yields remained relatively stable. Reciprocal crossbreeding, particularly the AC and CC genotypes, improved economic performance while maintaining desirable carcass and meat quality characteristics. These findings demonstrate the potential of reciprocal crossing strategies to enhance productivity, carcass composition, and profitability in commercial broiler production and provide valuable guidance for parental line selection and hybrid breeding programs.