A research on the slaughter age and carcass traits of pheasants

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine growth performances, slaughter age and carcass traits of pheasants. Daily chicks of native male and female combined pheasant genotype were used in the trial. The pheasants were grown in the floor rearing system. Birds slaughtered 13, 14 and 15th weeks of age. The differences between the live weights of male and female pheasants were found to be significantly (P<0.05) at all slaughtering ages. The average live weights of male and female combined birds were determined as 868.69+/-26.78, 927.19+/-34.59 and 982.87+/-42.59 g for the 13, 14 and 15th weeks of age, respectively. Feed efficiency was recorded as 4.60, 4.88 and 5.14 for the same slaughtering ages. The slaughter percentages, breast percentages, thigh percentages and edible internal organs were determined as 74.19%, 73.13% and 74.30%; 35.90%, 35.85% and 35.55%; 30.12%, 30.97 and 29.13%; 5.93%, 5.83% and 6.03%, respectively.