Comparison of wheat and maize-based diets on growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens

![CDATA[Maize and wheat are major sources of energy in broiler diets, however there are few comparative studies undertaken on the effect of these cereal types on chicken meat quality. In this study, the response of meat quality and growth performance to diets based on maize or wheat was evaluated. A total of 72, 10-day old Ross 308 broilers male chicks were randomly allocated to 2 dietary treatments with 6 birds per cage and 6 replications in each treatment. Experimental diets were formulated to be iso-calorific and iso-nitrogenous. Body weight (BW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) from 10-38 d, and pectoralis muscle drip loss rate, colour, temperature, pH, and shear force at 38 d were evaluated. Results of this study show that ADFI and FCR values of birds from 25- 38 days of age were lower in the maize-based diet (P<0.001). Drip loss rate was higher in maize fed group as compared to those from wheat fed group (P<0.01). Wheat-based diet increased the lightness (L*; P<0.001) and redness (a*; P<0.05) values, whereas maize-based diet markedly increased the yellowness (b*; P<0.001) value in meat. The shear force and pH values of muscle were unaffected by dietary cereals. The results of this study indicate that dietary cereals had significant effects on ADFI, FCR, and meat drip loss and meat colour of broiler chickens.]]