Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems

Edoardo Fiorilla; Marco Birolo; Ugo Ala; Gerolamo Xiccato; Angela Trocino; Achille Schiavone; Cecilia Mugnai

doi:10.3390/ani13152540

Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems

Animals (Basel). 2023 Aug 7;13(15):2540. doi: 10.3390/ani13152540.

Authors

Edoardo Fiorilla¹, Marco Birolo², Ugo Ala¹, Gerolamo Xiccato², Angela Trocino^{2

3}, Achille Schiavone¹, Cecilia Mugnai¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy.
² Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals and Environment, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Padova, Italy.
³ Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università, 16, 35020 Padova, Italy.

Abstract

Local chicken breeds play a vital role in promoting sustainability by preserving genetic diversity, enhancing resilience, and supporting local economies. These breeds are adapted to local climates and conditions, requiring fewer external resources and inputs for their maintenance. By conserving and utilizing local chicken breeds, sustainable farming practices can be incentivized, maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring food security for future generations. The present study aimed at evaluating the growth performance and slaughter traits of two local Italian chicken breeds (Bionda Piemontese and Robusta Maculata) and their crosses with a medium-growth genotype (Sasso chicken^®) reared in conventional and free-range farming systems. The conventional system used a high-energy high-protein diet in a closed barn with controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting, and a stocking density of 33 kg/m². The free-range system used a low-input diet (low-energy low-protein diet composed of local and GMO-free feed ingredients), uncontrolled environmental conditions, and a stocking density of 21 kg/m² in a barn with free access to an outdoor area. The birds were slaughtered at 84 days of age in both systems. The crossbred chickens showed the best results for growth performance in both farming systems compared to local breeds. Within genotype, the final live weight of chickens was similar in the two farming systems. In conclusion, slow-growth crossbreeds should be used in alternative farming systems, demonstrating better performance than pure local breeds.

Keywords: crossbreeding; free-range; local chicken breeds; low input diets; sustainability.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Italian Ministry of Research and University funding project PRIN: “USE OF LOCAL CHICKEN BREEDS IN ALTERNATIVE PRODUCTION CHAIN: WELFARE, QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY” (Prot. 2017S229WC).