Market chain of “Consortium for safeguard of Bianca di Saluzzo e Bionda Piemontese breeds” in Piedmont: 2. Meat quality

Consumer interest in unconventional poultry production such as free-range and organic systems is growing in the view of improved animal welfare, sustainability, and quality. The aim of the present study was to characterize meat quality of hens of two local poultry breeds reared in free range. The products are included in the list of the Slow Food Presidia and the hens are slaughtered for Piedmont’s local market by the “Consortium for safeguard of Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese breeds". Based on the obtained results, it appears that big efforts are needed to improve productive and qualitative homogeneity of chicken from Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese, to increase its market, and to ensure survival of the two breeds.