engleski

The effects of castration on the growth parameters, carcass yield and meat chemical composition of intensively reared Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus L.)

The effects of castration on growth performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of m.iliotibilais cranialisand m. pectoralis superficialisof pheasants were examined. Forty pheasants reared incommercial pheasantry were included in the experiment. Half of the pheasants were castrated at 8 weeksof age. Values for live weight tended to be higher in castrated pheasants in the 24thweek (P<0.1) andvalues for weight gain were significantly higher between the 16thand 24thweeks (P<0.05). Feed-to-gain-ratio (8th-32nd week) was significantly better (P<0.05) in castrated pheasants. Eviscerated weight anddressing percentage at 32nd week were not significantly different between treatments. The chemicalcomposition of m. iliotibilais cranialisand m. pectoralis superficialisshowed significantly higher values offat (P<0.01) and moisture (P<0.05) in castrated pheasants in comparison with intact ones. Protein con-tent of both muscles was higher in intact pheasants (P<0.05). Body part weights were not influenced bythe treatment with the exception of heart weight, which was significantly higher in the intact pheasants(P<0.05).We concluded that castration tended to improve growth performance only in the first 24 weeks of the fat-tening period and, therefore, continuation of fattening after that period is no longer feasible. The mostimportant characteristic of the castrated pheasant's meat was an increased amount of fat. More studiesunder different feeding and alternative breeding systems are necessary to improve production.

castration; growth; intactness; meat quality; pheasant

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