Department of Animal Nutrition, Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125 004, India
*Present address : Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husgandry, Mhow - 453, 446, India.
Online published on 5 January, 2012.
Three experiments were conducted in hot, hot-humid and cold season of a year to study the effect of age and season on the carcass composition and nutrients deposition in broilers. With the advance in age, moisture, protein and ash contents of the carcass decreased while the fat and energy contents increased significantly (P<0.05). Similar trends were observed ill the net amount of nutrients deposition in the carcass. There was, however, exception in the season, where the carcess fat and energy contents as well as the net amount deposition in the carcass were significantly reduced in the finishing phase.
The per cent carcass protein and the net amount deposited in the carcass were significantly (P<0.05) higher while the per cent carcass fat was lower in broilers raised during cold season. The ash content of the carcass Mas not influenced (P> 0.05) by the seasons. The carcass energy content and the net amount of fat and energy deposited in the carcass were higher (P< 0.05) in broilers raised during hot-humid and cold seasons than in hot season.
