Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10417706/
Fiorilla E, Birolo M, Ala U, Xiccato G, Trocino A, Schiavone A, Mugnai C. 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. PMID: 37570348; PMCID: PMC10417706.
Poultry farming is set to expand in the future, and consumers are requiring more sustainable and ethical products. Free-range farming systems produce high-quality meat and also present added value in terms of welfare, sustainability, small-scale farmers’ development, and ethical farming. Local chicken breeds should be used in organic and free-range farming, but they have long growth periods. As found in the present study, crossbreeding could improve growth results, thus safeguarding local chicken biodiversity.