Naked neck - autochthonous breed of chickens in Serbia 2. Carcass characteristics.

Objective of the research was to establish the growth of body mass and slaughter characteristics of the autochthonous chicken breed - naked neck of different varieties (white, black, gray) in our country, reared in extensive system. Fattening lasted 98 days (14 weeks). In the paper, the growth of body mass of chickens at the age of 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks of fattening are presented, also slaughter yields, conformation measures, shares of major carcass parts and roasting loss. Average body mass varied from 1108.93g (W), 1080.26 g (B) and 1005.00g (G). Slaughter yield "traditionally dressed carcass" varied from 75.09% (B) to 76.58% (G), yield "ready to cook" from 67.88 (W) to 68.76 (G) and yield "ready to grill" from 58.38% (W) to 58.89 (G). Obtained mean values of conformation measures indicated poor carcass built of chickens of both sexes and were result of strong effect of body mass of chickens. Considerable effect of variety and sex on differences between mean values for major carcass parts (breast, thighs, drumsticks, wings) was not established. Further research shall be necessary in order to confirm the hypothesis that naked neck chickens have better meat quality for which the consumers who prefer natural food are prepared to pay higher price.