The Influence of Various Marketing Ages on the Growth, Carcass Characteristics, and Economic Indices of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The global population continues to increase, which drives up demand for broiler meat. Furthermore, the production cycle's duration and the decisions made regarding broiler marketing are important factors, along with productivity and profitability. In this study, the effects of different marketing ages (MA) on carcass characteristics, economic indicators, and broiler chicken production were investigated. A total of 200 male, one-day-old chick Cobb-500 broilers were used. The chicks were divided at random into four equal groups of five replicates. At 35, 42, 49, and 56 days old, distinct marketing ages for broilers were reached. At various marketing ages, performance indicators were calculated based on growth qualities, economic indices, and other data. For each marketing day, ten birds were randomly chosen from each group and slaughtered for carcass analysis. The main findings indicated that MA 35 and MA 42 showed a high daily weight gain and feed conversion rate compared with MA 49 and MA 56. The mortality rate increased in MA 49 and MA 56. In addition, MA 56 for birds resulted in less economic return and profit. In conclusion, extending the marketing age negatively impacts feed conversion ratio and livability percent while directly increasing live body weight. Moreover, there is no significant difference in carcass traits like spleen%, gizzard%, heart%, and giblet%. The European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF) and Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) are profitable at MA35 and 42 days only.