The effect of genotype and sex on carcass composition, digestive system and leg bone traits in broiler breeders after the reproductive season

Abstract The aim of this study was to compare Cobb 500 and Ross 308 broiler breeders for carcass composition as well as morphometric parameters of their digestive system and leg bones. This study is based on 28 birds aged 61 weeks. We determined the body weight, percentages of carcass components, as well as the weight and content of selected internal organs within the body weight. This was followed by measuring the lengths and diameters of each gut segment; bone length and breadth the femur and the tibia. The birds’ genotype significantly (p<0.05) affected their body weight, percentages of some carcass components, the lengths of the intestine and femur and tibia dimensions. The birds’ sex also significantly affected their body weight and the percentages of carcass components. Differences were also found in the weight of giblets, lengths of the intestine and the length and breadth of the femur and tibia. The results of the study provide information on differences between the genotypes and sexes in Cobb 500 and Ross 308 parent stocks in body weight, percentages of carcass components and giblets, as well as the lengths of each gut segment, and dimensions of the femur and tibia following the reproduction period.