Research ArticlesHealth & Welfare

IMPACT OF HEAT STRESS ON GROWTH, CARCASS TRAIT, MEAT QUALITY AND SENSORY EVALUATION OF ABBOR AND COBB BROILER CHICKEN STRAINS

Kaye Joshua, Oshibanjo Olusegun, Ja’afar Khadija Musa

Kaye Joshua — University of Jos (Unijos) (kaye@unijos.edu.ng)

Oshibanjo Olusegun — University of Jos (Unijos) (oshibanjoo@unijos.edu.ng)

Ja’afar Khadija Musa — University of Jos (Unijos)

Abstract

This study evaluated the physiological responses, carcass characteristics, organ development, meat quality, and sensory attributes of Abbor Acre and Cobb 500 broiler chickens under heat stress. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Animal Science Teaching and Research Farm, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, using 120 day-old chicks assigned to four treatment groups in a completely randomized design, with exposure to either control (24°C) or heat stress conditions (35°C day/30°C night for six hours daily) from weeks 3 to 6 post-hatch. Birds were monitored for heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, growth performance, and carcass traits, while meat quality and sensory attributes were assessed post-slaughter. Results indicated that physiological responses showed no significant differences between strains, although Cobb 500 exhibited a slightly higher heart rate and rectal temperature, while Abbor Acre had a higher respiratory rate. Carcass and primal cut yields were comparable, with Abbor Acre showing heavier thighs and wings, whereas Cobb 500 had higher breast and back weights. Internal and external organ characteristics did not differ significantly, though Abbor Acre tended to have heavier visceral organs, while Cobb 500 had slightly heavier external body parts. Meat quality analysis revealed a significantly higher pH in Cobb 500 (6.20 vs. 6.02, p = 0.006), while oxidative rancidity and water-holding capacity were similar between strains. Sensory evaluation showed Cobb 500 scored higher in color and flavor, while Abbor Acre was rated better in juiciness and tenderness, with overall acceptability being equal (6.70) for both strains. In conclusion, both Abbor Acre and Cobb 500 broilers exhibit similar physiological, carcass, and organ responses under heat stress, with minor differences in meat quality and sensory traits.

Keywords

Heat stresscarcass traitmeat quality and sensory evaluationabbor and cobb broiler chicken strains

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Publication Info

Published in: Vol. 1, No. 1 (2026)

Pages: 1 - 14

DOI: 10.xxxxx/jjaases.2026.46a42417

License: CC-BY-4.0

OA
Open Access (CC-BY 4.0)

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.

Submitted: 7/18/2026

Accepted: 7/18/2026

Published: 9/19/2026

Disclosures

Funding:

No specific funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest:

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.