Performance and characteristics of the carcass and meat of chickens from the Pesadão Vermelho line with the inclusion of banana flour in the diet

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate the effects of including green banana flour (FBV) in the diet of chickens of the Pesadão Vermelho strain, raised in a semi-intensive system, on performance, carcass and meat characteristics and animal behavior. The treatments consisted of 0, 5, 10 and 15% BFP. The inclusion of up to 15% FBV in the diets of chickens of the Pesadão Vermelho strain did not alter (p>0.05) weight gain and feed conversion, however feed consumption was influenced (p<0.05) by the levels of inclusion, showing the smallest reduction at the level of 15% FBV inclusion. The inclusion of up to 15% FBV did not alter (p<0.05) the carcass characteristics, but a higher carcass yield was observed with up to 10% FBV inclusion. Animal ingestive behavior was influenced by the inclusion of banana flour in the diet, with a greater number of observations during the periods 08am to 10am and 11am to 1pm. The animal behavior, on the other hand, decreased with increasing levels of green banana flour. Banana flour can be included in rations for caipira chickens of the red nightmare strain at up to 15% of the diet without compromising animal performance and carcass and meat characteristics.