Características da carcaça de uma linhagem de codornas de corte

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess a new type of meat quails which has been developed at Department of Animal Science of Pelotas Federal University. Allometric characteristics, carcass traits, chemical profile, sensorial and physical features of meat were analyzed. This meat comes from male and female quails that were slaughtered at four different ages. A total of 120 birds were utilized for allometric, yield and instrumental study, 56 birds for study of chemical features and 80 birds for sensorial analysis. According to the yield results, the optimal age for slaughter is 42 days old. Moreover, late deposition of fat at male quails was found at allometric tests. At instrumental analysis, a transformation of muscle into meat 3 hours after pH measurement was observed. Furthermore, male quails presented greater capacity for carcass water retention, and lower dry matter content. Both sexes presented growth rate of fat deposition as time goes by. Finally, at sensorial analysis, results taken together presented an excellent quality quail meat.