This is study aimed to compare growth performance, meat quality, and carcass yield of three broiler chicken strains: Cobb, Paraiso Pedrês and ISA Label. The experiment was analyzed according to a randomized design, with five replicates of 29 birds per treatment. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion were evaluated weekly. Adjustments performed according to Gompertz model to describe the birds growth were based on mean weight gain. The birds growth rate was obtained by the Gompertz derivative model. When the males of each strain reached body weight of 2.5 kg, three broilers of replicate were slaughtered for carcass analyses. Samples of breast samples of two birds were taken for physical-chemical characteristics analyses. Cobb birds had higher weight gain and feed intake, followed by Paraíso Pedrês and ISA Label. Cobb birds exhibited higher values of growth potential, according to Gompertz equation. Cobb birds showed higher values of carcass yield, breast, drumstick, liver, intestines, and proventricule than the other strains, that did not differ between them. Cobb birds presented higher values of pH and water retention capacity of breast meat. Paraíso Pedrês and ISA Label exhibited stronger red color intensity. Sex did not influence meat quality but influenced feet, drumisticks + upper drumstick, and heart, that were higher in males. Females exhibited higher values of breast, abdominal fat, liver, gizzard, and proventricule yield. Therefore, Cobb strain showed greater capacity to reach higher growth rates and meat quality, and Paraíso Pedrês and ISA Label birds exhibited colors that satisfy consumers demand.
Cobb; carcass yield; growth curve; Isa Label; meat quality; Paraíso Pedrês
