Divergent selection for residual food intake in Rhode Island Red egg‐laying lines: Gross carcase composition, carcase adiposity and lipid contents of tissues

Abstract

1. A sample of 48 hens and cockerels from generation 17 of a divergent selection experiment on residual food intake was examined to determine whether the large food intake differences between those lines were associated with differences of body composition.

2. Adiposity and lipid contents of various parts of the carcase were higher in the low residual food intake line than in the high residual food intake line, both in males and females, with the cockerels of the high residual food intake line markedly lean.

3. On an equal weight basis obtained by linear correction for body weight differences, males had heavier thigh, drumstick and bones, but less adipose tissue and smaller amounts of lipids in the liver, meat, skin and abdominal adipose tissue than females.

Notes

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