Influence of diet upon broiler quality and consumer acceptance of carcasses differing in skin pigmentation

The production and marketing of broilers is highly competitive. This has resulted in formulation of broiler diets using readily available ingredients that give more pounds of high quality meat with the use of less feed; and has increased the need for improvements in marketing methods. This in turn has increased the need for more information concerning consumer preferences and acceptance of broilers.

The experiments reported in this thesis were designed to (1) determine the effects of diets containing milo at various levels and the use of supplements (alfalfa meal, corn gluten meal, and additional vitamin A) upon growth rate and feed efficiency of broilers; (2) measure the effects of these diets upon deposition of yellow pigment in the skin of broilers; and (3) determine consumer preference and acceptance of broilers possessing different amounts of skin pigmentation.