Performance, carcass and sensory evaluation of Saga chicken fed locally planted grain corn

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the effect of three different types of grain corn, that used in feed formulation, on the growth performance, carcass quality and sensory values of Saga chicken. A total of 45 male Saga cockerels aged 40 weeks were subjected to 3 treatments, with 3 replications per treatment. The birds were given formulated feed which were commercial corn (control), locally planted grain corn variety GWG888 and variety P4546. The weight and feed intake of the birds were recorded daily while carcass and sensory evaluations were conducted on Saga chicken meat samples. It was found that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the treatments for both parameters. However, chicken fed corn variety P4546 had numerically highest feed intake compared to other treatments. Similarly, the abdominal fat was numerically lesser in chickens fed with grain corn GWG888 compared to other corn varieties. Sensory evaluation was carried out on Saga chicken meat samples based on colour, odour, taste and overall acceptance using a 5-point hedonic scale. Saga chicken meat samples from the GWG888 grain corn treatment showed high scores for texture, taste and overall receptivity through sensory evaluation. In conclusion, the performance and meat quality of chickens fed locally grown grain corn were comparable to those fed on imported corn.