Possibilities of 'on-farm conservation' of the old and endangered turkey breed 'old-fashioned bronce turkey' with respect to fattening performance and meat quality in comparison to the Kelly hybrid turkey 'broad breast bronce' (BBB)

Abstract

In response to the German national management plan for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources, the aim of this thesis was to evaluate the possibilities of on-farm conservation using experimental data and an economic analysis of the old and endangered turkey breed 'old-fashioned bronce turkey'. The endangered breed was compared with the high yield breed 'Kelly' (BBB) under the same housing conditions. The comparison was mainly based on performance and meat quality criteria. The 'old-fashioned bronce turkey' had a significantly lower body weight gain, a lower slaughter weight and a lower percentage of dressed weight than the conventional 'Kelly' (BBB) turkeys. The meat quality of the breast showed different results (e.g. smaller surface area of the muscle fibre for the old breed, darker meat colour, preference in a sensory test). Even though the special meat quality could support marketing, the body weight is too low for a reasonably priced sale. Thus the 'old-fashioned bronce turkey' seems not to be suitable for on-farm conservation. Instead it is suggested to maintain the endangered turkey breed in small animal husbandry or zoos.