Damrus Chatreewong and Winai Waree

pp. 311 - 319

Abstract

      Randomized complete block design was used to study the optimum market age and weight of Betong chicken. Ninety male and ninety female Betong chickens were raised and grouped into 6 groups (15 males and 15 females in each group). Each group was weighted and slaughtered separately between sex at 14, 16,18, 20, 22, and 24 weeks old.
       It was found that male Betong chicken had higher weights than female chicken. Live weights of male chicken at 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 weeks old were 1,403.7, 1,637.5, 1,875.0, 2,013.9, 2,041.7 and 2,066.7 g, while females were 1,100.0, 1,254.2, 1,357.1, 1,488.6, 1,575.0.0 and 1,650.0 g, respectively. There were nonsignificant differences (P>0.05) of male post-fasted weight among the age of 20 to 24 weeks (1,932.0-2,037.5g). However, the weights of 20, 22 and 24 week-chicken old were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 14 and 16 week-chicken old (1,351.7 and 1,504.5 g). Male carcass weight at 22 weeks old was not significantly different (P>0.05) from the 24 weeks, but significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of 14, 16 and 18 week chicken old. Female carcass weights among 18, 20, 22 and 24 weeks old were non-significantly different (925.0, 958.3, 1,050.0 and 1,020.0 g), but were significantly (P<0.05) higher than 14 and 16 week-chicken old weight. Male chicken at 24 weeks had the highest carcass percentage of 72.29%, which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than 22, 20, 18, 16 and 14 week-chicken old. There were no significant difference among female carcass percentages at 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 weeks (65.00-68.54%), but significantly higher than 14 weeks (62.38%) (P<0.05). The taste of female chicken was better than male chicken. There were no significant differences in taste among 6 test groups of male chicken, but significantly differences in females. There were no significant differences of female meat taste among 18, 20, 22 and 24 week old, but there were significantly (P<0.05) better than 14 and 16 weeks old taste. The highest net income among different age group of male was at 20 weeks old, while among female groups was 14 weeks old.