Development of dual-purpose cross for meat and egg production II. Meat quality of the crossbred chickens and the parent lines

Abstract The study aimed to examine the meat quality of chickens from a dual-purpose cross and its parent lines. trial was conducted in experimental poultry farm Institute Animal Science-Kostinbrod, Bulgaria. were obtained by crossing female layers (Line L) cocks (BB, based on Bresse Gauloise). At age 9 weeks male lines slaughtered. Six each genotype subjected breast thigh analysis. crossbred tended have lower pH but values this parameter higher their thighs. BB line showed poorest water-holding capacity (WHC) both cuts. This crossbreed lighter compared L line. Except ash content that line, proximate composition did not differ between examined cross. intramuscular fat (IMF) protein than correlation analysis revealed clear relationships traits composition, however they differed for meat.