The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics of chicken meat from two lines (Paraíso Pedrês or Label Rouge and Pescoço Pelado), raised in a semi-extensive system, and slaughtered at 65, 75, 85 and 95 days of age. The variables assessed in the breast and leg of experimental animals were moisture, protein, fat, ashes, objective colour (CIEL*a*b* system), final pH and cooking loss. The breast of Paraíso Pedrês females showed a higher fat content (0.86%) than in males of the Paraíso Pedrês (0.63%) or Pescoço Pelado (0.57%) lines. In the leg, Pescoço Pelado chicken slaughtered at 85 days showed higher moisture and lower fat than the Paraíso Pedrês line, while Paraíso Pedrês females at 95 days presented more fat than males at the same age. In the breast, the yellow colour (b*) was more intense in Pescoço Pelado (6.24) than in Paraíso Pedrês (5.41), and in the females (6.47) than in the males (5.18). The leg color in the Pescoço Pelado birds was more yellow at 95 (6.87) than at 85 days (5.90). Birds from the Pescoço Pelado line give leaner cuts in the case of the males, and with more intense yellow coloring, in the case of the females, than birds from the Pescoço Pelado line.
chemical composition; color; country chicken; meat cuts
