Influence of indoor and outdoor systems on meat quality of slow-growing chickens

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of rearing system (with and without outdoor access) on carcass composition and meat quality in slow-growing chickens. The highest shear force was found for the breast muscles of chickens from the outdoor group. Breast (P < 0.05) and leg (P < 0.01) muscles of the birds from the outdoor group were characterized by the highest content of vitamin E. Therefore, differences were observed in fatty acid composition. A lower level of saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P < 0.01), a higher level of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (P < 0.05), and a lower n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (P < 0.01) were found in breast and leg muscles of chickens from the outdoor group. The breast muscles of chickens from the outdoor group were characterized by a higher level of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (P < 0.01) and a lower level of n-6 PUFA (P < 0.05). The rearing system may modify the health-promoting properties of meat