Effect of Rearing Types on Meat Color and Muscle Fiber Characteristics in Local Meat-Type Chicken

Abstract

The effects of rearing types (floor rearing and flock cage rearing) on meat color and muscle fiber characteristics in local meat-type chicken and broiler were examined. In broiler, body weight, muscle (M biceps femoris) weight and meat color were not significantly different between floor rearing and flock cage rearing. But local meattype chicken reared in flock cage had smaller body weight and muscle weight and lower lightness (L^* value) of meat color than local meat-type chicken reared on floor. Both breeds (broiler and local meat-type chicken) reared on floor tend to be higher percentages area of type II A fiber than those reared in flock cage. Local meat-type chicken had a stronger tendency to be affected on distribution of muscle fiber area by rearing types than broiler. In broiler, fiber diameter was not significantly different between floor rearing and flock cage rearing. But local meat-type chicken reared in flock cage had smaller fiber diameter than local meat-type chicken reared on floor. These results suggested that the effects of rearing types on meat-color and muscle fiber characteristics in local meat-type chicken were stronger than those in broiler.