Evaluation of two experimental three-way hybrids of free-range chickens under two feeding managements

Abstract

Campero chicken is a type of meat producing bird with a lower body weight gain and a greater rusticity than their industrial broilers counterparts do, intended for semi-intensive production systems that prioritizes aspects related to animal welfare. The traditional feeding scheme includes the use of three types of diets specially formulated for this purpose (Starter, Grower and Finisher). Taking into account the complexity of managing three types of food in small farms, the producers consider the possibility of managing only two: “Starter” and “Finisher”. The aim of this work was to characterize the productive behavior and the physical quality of the meat, of males of two threeway experimental hybrids of free range chickens -Campero Casilda y Campero Pergamino- as alternatives to the twoway cross Campero INTA. Both experimental crosses were evaluated under two feeding regimens (a) traditional, with three diets (Starter, Grower and Finisher) and three rations, and (b) alternative, with only two diets (Starter and Finisher) combined in five rations. The experimental crosses performed in an equivalent manner for almost all traits, being both heavier than Campero INTA, which transforms them into valid options for poultry systems alternative to the industrial one. The lack of meaningful productive differences when Grower feed was replaced by three Starter + Finisher combinations, indicates the feasibility of avoiding its inclusion in the feeding scheme, thus simplifying the production of this type of free-range birds.