Comparison of muscle fiber characteristics among Princess, Huaixiang and Beijing Fatty chicken.

【Objective】The differences of muscle fiber characteristics among Princess chicken, Huaixiang and Beijing Fatty chicken were compared to provide scientific references for species breeding and promotion. 【Method】Chest muscle and leg muscle of 120-day-old Princess, Huaixiang and Beijing Fatty chicken were cut by paraffin and stained by hematoxylin. Muscle fiber diameter and density were determined under microscope and muscle fiber characteristics among different chicken varieties were compared. 【Result】The results showed that the chest muscle fiber diameter of cock was smaller than that of hen and density of cock was higher than that of hen. The leg muscle fiber diameter of Princess and Beijing Fatty chicken cock was bigger than that of hen and density of cock was lower than that of hen. The leg muscle fiber diameter and density of Huaixiang cock was smaller than those of hen. Chest muscle fiber diameter of the three varieties was lower than that of leg muscle fiber. Chest muscle fiber density was higher than that of leg muscle fiber. Muscle fiber diameter order was Huaixiang chickenBeijing Fatty chickenPrincess chicken. Muscle fiber density order was Beijing Fatty chickenPrincess chickenHuaixiang chicken. 【Conclusion】The meat of Princess chicken and Beijing Fatty chicken with high promotion value was tender and better than Huaixiang chicken.