Sustainable Production Potential of Indigenous Gerze Chickens Under Free-Range and Feed-Restriction Strategies

This study evaluated the effects of intensive indoor, free-range, and free-range feed-restricted rearing strategies on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of indigenous Gerze chickens. A total of 252 one-day-old chicks were allocated to three treatments: free-range (FR), free-range feed-restricted (FRR), and intensive indoor-reared (IN) groups. Outdoor access and Skip-a-Day feed restriction began at 8 weeks of age, and birds were reared until 16 weeks. At slaughter, 16 chickens per group, balanced by sex, were selected for carcass and meat-quality analyses. Although the IN group showed higher live weights at several intermediate ages, final body weight did not differ significantly between the FR and IN groups, whereas FRR birds had lower final body weight. Feed conversion ratio and cumulative feed consumption did not differ among groups, but these pen-level results should be interpreted cautiously. The IN group had a higher dressing percentage and abdominal fat ratio, whereas edible giblet ratios were greater in the FR and FRR groups. Free-range rearing affected selected meat-quality traits, including lower leg L* and a* values and higher pH values. These findings provide production-oriented evidence that Gerze chickens may be suitable for local free-range systems, while Skip-a-Day feed restriction requires further evaluation.