Abstract
The effects of flaxseed meal (FSM) feeding on the performance (weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio), carcass characteristics and pectoral muscles fillets [major (PMJ) and minor (PMN)] quality [shear force, pH and cooking water loss percentage (CWLP)] and colour [redness (a*), lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*)] were evaluated in a factorial design experiment with five graded levels of FSM (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 g) and sex of broiler chickens from 21 to 39 days (d) of age. The addition of FSM to the diet did not affect the performance and carcass characteristics, but significantly (P<0.05) increased CWLP and reduced pH of the PMJ (80>20=0, and 80<60=40=20=0 g FSM/kg) and PMN (80>40=20=0 g and 80<60=20=0 g FSM/kg), and (P<0.01) increased a* value of the PMJ (80=60>40 g FSM/kg). The male birds had significantly (P<0.01) higher performance, L* value of the PMN and lower a* value of the PMN than females. The breast weight of males fed 20 g FSM/kg was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of females. However, higher dietary levels of FSM/kg increased breast weight of females when compared with those of males. It was concluded that the addition of up to 80 g FSM/kg to the diet during 21 to 39 d did not affect the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens, and that of 80 g FSM/kg increased CWLP and reduced pH of PMs. Sex of birds influenced the performance and characteristics of PMs.