The meat quality of three poultry genotypes with differing growth rates (fast-growing Ross; medium and slowgrowing
Kabir and Robusta maculata, respectively) was compared. All the birds were reared according to the
organic production system which requires a paddock with grass pasture (4 m2/bird) and a slaughter age greater
than 81 d. The trial was carried out on 100 female chickens per strain. The meat quality was affected by the
20 different degree of maturity of the strains at slaughter age, which was 70% for Ross, 52 % for Kabir and 78% for
Robusta maculata. Ross and Kabir were slaughtered at 81 d, whereas Robusta maculata, required 120 d to reach a
commercial weight (>2 kg). The meat of all the three genotypes showed good qualitative traits. The main
differences of the three genotypes regarded moisture, lipid, pHu, colour, iron, oxidative stability and overall
acceptance. Compared with Kabir and Robusta maculata Ross meat had more fat, lower pHu and iron, and was
25 paler. The oxidative stability during display (24-96 h at 4° C) and acceptance were the worst. Kabir chickens,
being the least mature strain, had the highest moisture content with a high cooking loss. The slower-growing
genotypes showed a good adaptation to the extensive rearing conditions, while the fast-growing genotype showed
unbalanced muscle response to the greater activity and the oxidative stability of the meat was reduced.