Effect of stocking density on performance, carcass yield and meat quality in broilers of different commercial strains

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking density and strain on performance, carcass yield and cuts and quality parameters of breast meat (cooking weight loss, shearing force and pH) of broilers chickens. Two thousand and nine hundred and twenty five day-old chicks were alocated in a randomized 3x3x2 factorial design, with tree commercial strains (Ross 308, Cobb 500 and Hybro PG), three densities (10, 13 and 16 birds/m(2)) and two sex with two replications with variable number of birds due to stocking density. The densities resulted in differences for weight gain in the starter and finisher phase and in the total period, when the density of 10 birds/m(2) presented higher weight gain than 13 and 16 birds/m(2). However, densities of 13 and 16 birds/m(2) was not different. Increasing stocking density increased live weight production per area and profit. Densities did not affected carcass yield and cuts as well as breast meat quality parameters. Strains was different on weight gain in all phases avaluated and for feed intake in finisher phase and total period. Strain did not affected carcass yield, however, effects on breast meat yield, leg quarters, wings, back and abdominal fat were observed, with difference for leg quarter yield among males and significant difference for abdominal fat among females. Strain affected cooking weight loss and did not affected shear force and pH. Sex affected all parameters of performance and carcass yield but no breast meat quality.