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Development of shape in turkey carcasses

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

H. J. Swatland
H. J. Swatland
Affiliation:
Department of Animal and Poultry ScienceUniversity of GuelphGuelphOntario, Canada
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Summary

Forty-four turkeys including both sexes of two genetic strains were drawn at mean weight-for-age at 2 week intervals from a flock of 380 birds from hatching to 20 weeks post-hatching. Birds were dissected and linear measurements of skeletal units and breast dimensions were compared with keel length using the logarithmic form of Huxley's allometric growth equation. Live weights and weights of selected muscles were similarly compared with breast muscle weight. Wing bones and the biceps brachii muscle grew at approximately the same rate as keel length and breast muscle, respectively. However, leg bones and semitendinosus and gastrocnemius muscles exhibited slower growth than the breast region. Growth of maximum breast length and width was closely matched to keel length but growth in keel depth was much slower. The desirable convexity in breast shape lateral to the keel was considered to be directly proportional to maximum meat depth over the sternum and inversely proportional to keel depth. Maximum meat depth increased at a faster rate than either keel length or depth.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 93 , Issue 1 , August 1979 , pp. 1 - 6
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1979

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